The Quest for Community and Identity ― Critical Essays in Africana Social Philosophy

Although the majority of the 14 essays included here focus on African American thought, the facts that some writers are not African American and some concerns relate to the Black world outside of North America are reflected in the title of this work, edited by Birt (philosophy, Morgan State U.). There is no unified project among these essays, except for a concern with the problems and perplexities of community and identity, especially as they pertain to the modern day situations of Black people. The essays grapple with concrete historical and economic problems, as well as more rarefied philosophical issues. As is to be expected from a work trying to find meaning in the Black experience, the political ramifications of philosophy is never far from view. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Robert E. Birt is assistant professor of philosophy at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland.