Description
Book SynopsisThe New York Times have praised Dave Chappelle as “an American folk hero” for his ability to communicate across lines of race, class, and culture at a time when Americans are more polarized than they have ever been. Dave Chappelle and Philosophy brings together twenty-five chapters by philosophers of diverse backgrounds and varying points of view, looking closely at the hilarious, annoying, exhilarating, upsetting, and thought-provoking aspects of Chappelle’s wonderfully rich output. This volume of the Series serves as an invitation to think about some of the most urgent moral and political questions of our time.
Trade Review“Dave Chappelle. Truth-teller or out of touch? Progressive or retrograde? Timeless or tired? Feminist or misogynist? Ally or apologist? Iconic or infamous? The philosophers gathered here confront these questions and more, offering readers a deeper appreciation of Chappelle’s art and a better understanding of Chappelle as an artist. Dave Chappelle and Philosophy is a portrait of the artist as a middle-aged man and anyone interested in comedy, and potentially some who aren’t, will enjoy and benefit from this book.”
—Sheila Lintott, Professor of Philosophy, Bucknell University
“Hunkered down in our various ideological bunkers, we live certain in our knowledge of who’s on our side and who’s the enemy. Dave Chappelle is unique in his ability to make us laugh while scrambling the lines, making everyone uncomfortable. This is also what good philosophy does. Put the two together and the result is this volume, full of challenging, insightful discussion.”
—Steven Gimbel, author of Isn’t That Clever: A Philosophical Account of Humor and Comedy (2020)
“Dave Chappelle and Philosophy is a wide-ranging deep dive into the most distinctive and creative comedian of our generation. Anyone interested in a deeper philosophical appreciation of Chappelle’s work should read this book.”
—Luvell Anderson, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Syracuse University
"An absolute 'must read' selection for the legions of David Chappelle fans, "Dave Chappelle and Philosophy: When Keeping It Wrong Gets Real" is an unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library Popular Culture, Political Humor, Contemporary Social Issues, and Philosophy collections."-Wisconsin BookWatch
Table of ContentsWhy You Can't Cancel Dave Chappelle--Mark Ralkowski
I. When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong
1. My Money, My Choice--Luis Felipe Bartolo Alegre
2. Is Dave Chappelle a Good Role Model?--Andy Wible
3. How Old is Fifteen, Really?--Dave Lyrewood
4. Who Is John Galt? Dave Chappelle!--Roger Hunt
II. Going Hard in the Paint
5. A Master of Comedic Irony--Raymond Perrier
6. Dave Chappelle Knows Better than That--Mia Wood
7. Introduction to White Stupidity: Philosophy 101--Mukasa Mubirumusoke
8. Dave Chappelle's Positive Propaganda--Chris A. Kramer
III. Everything's Funny Until It Happens To You
9. Blouses and Pancakes--Mona Rocha and James Rocha
10. Upsetting the Alphabet People--Zoe Walker
11. Is Dave Chappelle a Feminist?--Christopher M. Innes
12. Why Chappelle Needs to Get Over His #MeToo Headache--Neha Pande
IV. Overwhelmed by the Irony
13. Clayton Bigsby and the Social Construction of the Self--Richard Bilsker
14. The Many Contradictions of Dave Chappelle--Duncan Gale
15. Well, Look No Further, Fella, You Found Me!--John V. Karativis
16. Dave Chappelle Meets Sigmund Freud--Dru Graham, Bennet Soenen, and Adam Barkman
V. Speaking Recklessly
17. Revolution or Illusion?--Brandyn Heppard
18. Dave Chappelle Does Not Trust Us--Steven A. Benko and Scout Burch
19. Hard Truths and Dangerous Jokes--Lauren Olin
20. Dave Chappelle Says He Doesn't Mean It, So Just Shut Up Already--Steven Burgess
VI. Revealing People to Themselves
21. Why Do You Feel Guilty for Loving Dave Chappelle?--Eliza Wizner
22. How Dave Chappelle and Saint Augustine Help Us See Ourselves--Conor W. Hanson
23. Original Gangsta--Marisa Diaz-Waian
24. How Dave Chappelle Uses Absurdity to Make Us Think--Alex R. Gillham
VII. Stand Back from the Elephant
25. Dance Like Nobody's Watching--Mark Ralkowski
Bibliography
"The Worst Motherfuckers"
Index
