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José López

 

Areas of Interest

My research interest in philosophy is the juncture between Pragmatism, Post-structuralism, and Latin American philosophy. I am particularly interested in how these traditions can be used to critique mainstream epistemology and metaphysics. In particular, I am exploring such themes as John Dewey's work on "Instrumentalism," Michel Foucault's work on the "Ontology of the Present," Cornel West's notion of "Prophetic Pragmatism," and Walter Maynolo's "Colonial Difference," among others, all of which explore the notion of knowledge and cultural diversity.

Education

• M.A.. Philosophy, 2010
• B.A., Sociology (Concentration: Social Change), 2005
• B.A., Social Science (Concentration: Community Change), 2005

San José State University (San José, California)

"I have never aspired to be a professional academic or scholar. Instead, I have tried to be a man of letters in love with ideas in order to be a wiser and more loving person, hoping to leave the world just a little better than I found it. I take great delight in the free play of the mind, and I believe intellectual work is indispensable for social change. Yet, in the end, I place compassion far above smartness and wisdom light-years ahead of cleverness. The question for wisdom is rooted in an erotic relation to the world--a deep desire to love and passion to know before one dies."

-Cornel West