Professor Cornel West - Lecture One: Philosophic Prelude

Prof. Cornel West delivers the 2024 Gifford Lecture Series at the University of Edinburgh, titled ‘A Jazz-soaked Philosophy for our Catastrophic Times: From Socrates to Coltrane’. This is the first of six lectures, titled ‘Philosophic Prelude’.
In this first lecture, Prof. West asks: How do we emerge from the bleakness of our catastrophic times?
He summarises: ‘In seeking a way forward, I will proceed on three philosophic levels - the genealogical, existential and pedagogical. The genealogical, or historical, level of my analysis will set the stage, and my period will be broadly the Age of Europe (1492-1945) and Age of America (1945-2024). The existential level of my analysis will embrace the lived experiences of struggling, suffering creatures. The pedagogical level will be classical in character and musical in content. My overall theme will resonate with the three pillars of jazz - blues (tragicomic catastrophe lyrically expressed), swing (myopic time opened to new possibilities) and improvisation (practical wisdom and timely interventions unleashed).’
Prof. West is the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Professor of Philosophy & Christian Practice, Union Theological Seminary, New York. His teaching and publications focus on roles of race, gender, and class struggle in American society, synthesizing influences from Christianity, the Black Church, democratic socialism, left-wing populism, neopragmatism and transcendentalism. A musician and spoken word artist, Prof. West has collaborated with acts across the rap, hip-hop and funk genres, as well as appearing in the Matrix series and many documentary films.
The prestigious Gifford Lectureships, held at the Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and St Andrews, have been delivered annually since 1888 by a succession of distinguished international scholars. The Lectureships were established by Adam Lord Gifford (1820-1887) to ‘promote and diffuse the study of Natural Theology in the widest sense of the term - in other words, the knowledge of God’, and have enabled a most notable field of scholars to contribute to the advancement of theological thought.
Find out more about the Gifford Lectures: www.ed.ac.uk/arts-humanities-...
Gifford Lectures blog: blogs.ed.ac.uk/gifford-lectures/
Please note that the captions have been automatically generated.

Пікірлер: 104

  • @Hamidurw
    @Hamidurw13 күн бұрын

    4 questions How does integrity face oppression ? How does honesty confront deception? How does decency respond to attack? How does courage make its way in the faces of brute forces? Integrity Honesty Decency Courage Hegel said human history is a slaughterhouse. A history of organised greed Institutionalised hatred Routinised indifference to the vulnerable The indifference the evil is more insidious than evil itself. William James said the difference is the one trait that makes the very angel weep. 68th African empire Historians and philosophers know that the most part of the history full of madness and imbecility

  • @shoukatbeigh7482
    @shoukatbeigh74829 күн бұрын

    So great, i feel wordless in his praise, totally mind boggling lecture and i have never watched such a effective eloquent speech in whole 50 year old life ❤❤❤❤❤.

  • @TrueJusticeisHistory
    @TrueJusticeisHistory12 күн бұрын

    I want cornell west for next president of the united states. we need change when there's no change. We need radicalized people but in smiles and so radical and so animated only cornell west can pull naturally.

  • @ThatMellowGuyDavid
    @ThatMellowGuyDavid6 күн бұрын

    so pleased to see this - Prof West has the necessary focus for politickin

  • @carlushudson1535
    @carlushudson153516 күн бұрын

    An absolute pleasure to listen to Professor Cornel West at the University of Edinburgh.

  • @evanfirebrand
    @evanfirebrand16 күн бұрын

    He is simply phenomenal.

  • @naserrahman1877
    @naserrahman187714 күн бұрын

    May Allah empower u for speaking up for the Palestinian resistance.

  • @manlikeJoe1010

    @manlikeJoe1010

    10 күн бұрын

    Repent to the Lord Jesus Christ and abandon your pagan nonsense

  • @haroldcheeseburger
    @haroldcheeseburger9 күн бұрын

    This man is a gift, thank you!

  • @Altruismisreal27
    @Altruismisreal2712 күн бұрын

    I am just amazed at Cornel West’s memory!

  • @JosephDuvernay
    @JosephDuvernay13 күн бұрын

    I perceive that a Kindness! Thank You! I am at Mssr. West's Lecture 3 & 4 today. And after cooking and a bit of Saturday cleaning am so looking forward to it. Again, for this traveler, it's Love, Knowledge, Kindness, Just Forgiveness---breathe!

  • @abooswalehmosafeer173
    @abooswalehmosafeer17314 күн бұрын

    Wow,what a panoramic conversation

  • @NgariiT
    @NgariiT16 күн бұрын

    Food for the brain. Simply delicious.

  • @SalimMaroun-fb5rd
    @SalimMaroun-fb5rd17 күн бұрын

    Thank you so much we are all Brothers or sisters to this world we are all connected, do you speak the same language the language of the mind ❤❤❤❤❤❤

  • @conradnoel
    @conradnoel13 күн бұрын

    The hate doled out to Prof West on here is very similar to that which Socrates received. Interesting that.

  • @JosephDuvernay
    @JosephDuvernay14 күн бұрын

    Why am i so Happy?

  • @Salam99-1

    @Salam99-1

    14 күн бұрын

    Because you started from catastrophe, and didn't let it have the last word ;)

  • @fredwooten14
    @fredwooten149 күн бұрын

    West for President!

  • @brendankolar1370
    @brendankolar137014 күн бұрын

    reminder to the USians to vote for this guy for president!

  • @lorainebaird

    @lorainebaird

    13 күн бұрын

    I'm voting for him!

  • @martinm1740
    @martinm174011 күн бұрын

    An articulate brother always trips the haters. Its 2024 yes but theres still are people who cant believe a brother can be an intellectual. I give CW his due. Man did his homework a while ago so he talks out of his heart not just his head.

  • @louisesumrell6331
    @louisesumrell633116 күн бұрын

    Thank you 🙏

  • @BrokenneckYgor
    @BrokenneckYgor14 күн бұрын

    Dr C speaks for thee

  • @naturegirl4803
    @naturegirl480314 күн бұрын

    feeling great listening to him.

  • @leeli2690
    @leeli269014 күн бұрын

    Thanks sifu ❤

  • @LoveofFinancialEducation
    @LoveofFinancialEducation16 күн бұрын

    Socrates to Coltrane 😮😮😮...💕❤️♥️🙏

  • @janklaas6885
    @janklaas688517 күн бұрын

    📍1:02:06

  • @robb6059
    @robb605912 күн бұрын

    Śrīla Prabhupāda: World activities should be regulated so that God is the ultimate goal of understanding. Although the church or the brāhmaṇas, may not directly carry out administrative activities, the gov-ernment should function under their supervision and instructions.

  • @GloriaCompton
    @GloriaCompton4 күн бұрын

    wow

  • @nawafdreams
    @nawafdreams13 күн бұрын

    🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 *🙏 Gratitude and Humility* - Expression of gratitude towards those who facilitated Professor West's visit and his dedication of the. - Acknowledgment of the sources of good in his life, from family to mentors and philosophers. - 00:37 🌎 University of Edinburgh and Gifford Lectures - Introduction to the University of Edinburgh and the prestigious Gifford Lectureship series. - Overview of the history and significance of the Gifford Lectures, including notable past speakers. 01:33 *🏛️ Introducing Professor Cornel West* - Biographical background of Professor Cornel West, including his academic and intellectual accomplishments. - Explanation of the themes and approach he will take in his Gifford Lecture series. 06:14 *🎶 A Jazz-Soaked Philosophy* - Professor West's conviction that philosophy can be a "force for good in a broken world." - His plan to mobilize philosophic and artistic resources, particularly from the jazz tradition, to address the challenges of our times. 07:11 *🌍 Philosophic Levels of Analysis* - The three philosophic levels Professor West will explore: genealogical (historical), existential, and pedagogical. - The resonance of his overall theme with the three pillars of jazz: tragedy, swing, and improvisation. 09:16 *🙌 Piety and Vocation* - Professor West's understanding of piety as the acknowledgment of the sources of good in one's life. - The formative influences and personal experiences that have shaped his philosophical vocation and calling. 00:00 *🙏 Gratitude and Humility* - Expression of gratitude towards those who facilitated Professor West's visit and his dedication of the lectures. - Acknowledgment of the sources of good in his life, from family to mentors and philosophers. 01:33 *🌎 University of Edinburgh and Gifford Lectures* - Introduction to the University of Edinburgh and the prestigious Gifford Lectureship series. - Overview of the history and significance of the Gifford Lectures, including notable past speakers. 06:14 *🎶 A Jazz-Soaked Philosophy* - Professor West's conviction that philosophy can be a "force for good in a broken world." - His plan to mobilize philosophic and artistic resources, particularly from the jazz tradition, to address the challenges of our times. 09:16 *🙌 Piety and Vocation* - Professor West's understanding of piety as the acknowledgment of the sources of good in one's life. - The formative influences and personal experiences that have shaped his philosophical vocation and calling. 32:30 *💔 Catastrophe and the Blues* - The blues as a personal narrative of catastrophe, lyrically expressed and artistically transfigured. - The acknowledgment of death, domination, and nihilism as central themes in the blues tradition. - The blues' subversive piety and pursuit of moral and spiritual greatness in the face of overwhelming adversity. 47:49 *🎶 Swing and Improvisation* - The role of swing in fighting off nihilism, fatalism, and despair, while maintaining a sense of joy and love. - Improvisation as a form of practical wisdom and timely intervention, rather than just a technical skill. 59:17 *📖 Vocation and Integrity* - The distinction between career and calling, profession and vocation, as explored by Max Weber. - Weber's wrestling with the preservation of intellectual integrity in a world of catastrophe and the collapse of the age of Europe. 01:01:08 *💼 Ethics of Conviction and Responsibility* - Max Weber's exploration of the tension between the ethics of conviction and the ethics of responsibility. - The challenge of preserving authenticity and integrity in the face of a disenchanted world. - The complementary nature of these ethical frameworks in cultivating the authentic human being with a vocation in politics. 01:04:24 *🤔 Socrates' Daimon and the Way Up and Down* - The significance of Socrates' daimon and his discovery of practicing the arts and music in the jail cell. - The connection between the way down and the way up, suggesting that light may be found in the depths of catastrophe. 01:06:15 *🎶 Swinging with Professor West* - Audience's eagerness to engage with Professor West's "jazz-soaked philosophy" in the upcoming lectures. - The anticipation of the Gifford Lectures "swinging" as the series progresses. 01:08:50 *🎷 Coltrane and the Broader Jazz Tradition* - Addressing the musicologist's question about the significance of focusing on John Coltrane, rather than other radical figures in the jazz tradition. - The balance between preserving the individuality and uniqueness of Coltrane, while also situating him within the broader context of the jazz tradition. 01:12:33 *🧠 Approaching the Question of Death* - Reflections on the philosophical and practical challenges of addressing the complex issues surrounding death, from euthanasia to the denial of death in transhumanism. - The need for a nuanced, context-sensitive approach that balances principles of compassion and sensitivity with practical wisdom. 01:17:18 *🇵🇸 Radical Love and the Palestine Question* - The long-standing struggle to raise awareness and address the injustices faced by the Palestinian people, despite the persistence of liberal blockages and indifference. - The importance of maintaining moral consistency and incorporating spirituality and morality into the discourse around resistance and liberation movements. Made with HARPA AI

  • @johnhelm6231
    @johnhelm62315 күн бұрын

    Who wants a great new president named Cornel West 🍀✨💫👍✌️😎.

  • @user-be9oq5tf1d

    @user-be9oq5tf1d

    21 сағат бұрын

    🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😱

  • @joecolleenjenkins3462
    @joecolleenjenkins346213 күн бұрын

    I AM A FAN of DR WEST - however, for those who are not - move on , this is not for you

  • @James-ll3jb

    @James-ll3jb

    9 күн бұрын

    Hey yoyo, maybe some of us who are not stuck in an adolescent fandom vis-a-vis West would like to see if they can glean something of value from his rampant ramblings. He WAS canned by Harvard after all!😅

  • @michaelmorris5755
    @michaelmorris575513 күн бұрын

    How strange. Our times are not catastrophic. Life has never been better.

  • @goddoc97
    @goddoc9715 күн бұрын

    Really, Edinburgh?

  • @thekid4779

    @thekid4779

    15 күн бұрын

    Hmm?

  • @doncampbelljr.usmcret.3197
    @doncampbelljr.usmcret.319713 күн бұрын

    OSWALD BATES 😂WANNABE

  • @DianaStevens42
    @DianaStevens4217 күн бұрын

    That’s not what piety means

  • @garyhalfway

    @garyhalfway

    16 күн бұрын

    What does it means?

  • @joelgoldsmith4747

    @joelgoldsmith4747

    13 күн бұрын

    @@garyhalfway No answer yet, to the question given? I really do wonder sometimes.🤔

  • @garyhalfway

    @garyhalfway

    13 күн бұрын

    In german language we have a word for this: Banausen!

  • @explore-n
    @explore-n16 күн бұрын

    smart and deranged like Don King

  • @curtrod
    @curtrod13 күн бұрын

    woe is us woe is us word salad, don't you ever get tired of being ethnocentric?

  • @Owl350
    @Owl3507 күн бұрын

    I wouldn't trust you or him if you think this way.

  • @user-jm6rl3hm1y

    @user-jm6rl3hm1y

    Күн бұрын

    He still love u even if u think that way just as God still loves u

  • @joshnova9163
    @joshnova916314 күн бұрын

    How such a mediocre mind has established even a modicum of academic credibility is astonishing

  • @JapanFound

    @JapanFound

    12 күн бұрын

    And your resume is where?

  • @masambeni
    @masambeni16 күн бұрын

    Always been underwhelmed by this individual from his appearances on TV. Still underwhelmed. Platitudes and hot air. Woke academic appointment

  • @isaacbell2426

    @isaacbell2426

    16 күн бұрын

    What does woke mean?

  • @masambeni

    @masambeni

    16 күн бұрын

    @@isaacbell2426 means he is where he is in the academic world because he is black

  • @isaacbell2426

    @isaacbell2426

    16 күн бұрын

    @@masambeni oh wow! Does that mean all black academics acquired their position because of race?

  • @masambeni

    @masambeni

    16 күн бұрын

    @@isaacbell2426 not too bright are you?

  • @masambeni

    @masambeni

    16 күн бұрын

    @@isaacbell2426 an academic you're not for sure

  • @2Goiz_1ShanDA
    @2Goiz_1ShanDA17 күн бұрын

    Brothers mercy blah blah blah. Sell that product dear "brother West" 🙄I have about as much trust left in him as I do in "brother Bernie" ... Yea I seen enough of the stik he's been doing for decades. Almost like a set narrative? Hmm 🤔 deniability?

  • @jessd4048

    @jessd4048

    16 күн бұрын

    A person could make some fair criticisms of the man but the depths of his scholarship isn’t one of them.

  • @782YKW

    @782YKW

    15 күн бұрын

    You are a troll

  • @edwright9659

    @edwright9659

    14 күн бұрын

    @@jessd4048Really? For the word attentively he said attentitively twice in a row. What is the name for that sort of scholarship?

  • @jessd4048

    @jessd4048

    14 күн бұрын

    @@edwright9659 if you haven’t read his books or attended his classes please pipe down.

  • @edwright9659

    @edwright9659

    14 күн бұрын

    @@jessd4048 It's all I can do to make it through this lecture 1 philosophic prelude nonsensical gibberish. But like I said he does appeal to the naïve & gullible

  • @tmlavenz
    @tmlavenz14 күн бұрын

    Playing the preacher as usual 🙄