ABOUT EXISTENCE: LEWIS R. GORDON ON HUMAN’S SUBJECTIVITY, INTER-SUBJECTIVE AFFILIATION AND THE RELATIONALITY OF KNOWLEDGE

Abstract

In his investigations of the existence of being human and Africana existence, Lewis R. Gordon devotes much attention to human subjectivity, inter-subjective affiliation and the relationality of knowledge. The above three crucial issues involve such important philosophical and cultural problems as the relation among human beings’ existence-in-the-world, cognition as subject, and their inter-subjective affiliation, revealing ties between human existence and the relationality of knowledge. Based on the Africana situation of existence, Gordon integrates Africana philosophy and his interpretation of Chinese philosophy in his reflection of the two crucial issues. He has listed such Chinese thinkers Lu Xun, Wang Yangming, Xiong Shili, Wang Ji, etc. as existentialists in the world. His philosophy of existence embodies an interracial and cross-cultural vision, inspiring us to further understand the connection and resonance of Africana philosophy and Chinese philosophy in illuminating the existence of humanity, including the spirit of cultural criticism that “seek[s] truth and critical thought,” the dialectical methodology of cognition, and the stress on individuals’ relations with other individuals and the world in which they live. Focusing on Gordon’s thought on human subjectivity, inter-subjective affiliation and the relationality of knowledge, this article presents an exploration of the connotations of Gordon’s Africana philosophy of existence and its significances for human understanding.