Kwame Anthony Appiah

Kwame Anthony Appiah (born 8 May 1954) is a Ghanaian-British philosopher, cultural theorist, novelist and public intellectual. He is Professor of Philosophy and Law at New York University and is internationally recognized for his work on ethics, identity, cosmopolitanism and political philosophy. His notable works include Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers, The Ethics of Identity, The Honor Code, and The Lies That Bind.

Quotes

• I am urging that we should learn about people in other places, take an interest in their civilizations, their arguments, their errors, their achievements, not because that will bring us to agreement, but because it will help us get used to one another.
  • Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers. Kwame Anthony Appiah discussing the importance of dialogue and understanding across cultures.

• To create a life is to create a life out of the materials that history has given you."
  • The Ethics of Identity. Kwame Anthony Appiah discussing identity and the influence of history on human life.

• Conversation doesn't have to lead to consensus about anything, especially not values; it's enough that it helps people get used to one another."
  • "Global Citizenship". Kwame Anthony Appiah discussing conversation, disagreement and cosmopolitanism.

• Once you start offering reasons for ignoring the interests of others, however, reasoning itself will usually draw you into a kind of universality."
  • Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers. Kwame Anthony Appiah discussing moral reasoning and universal concern for others.

• My people—human beings—made the Great Wall of China, the Sistine Chapel, the Chrysler Building: these things were made by creatures like me."
  • Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers. Kwame Anthony Appiah discussing our shared human heritage.

External links

• Media related to Kwame Anthony Appiah on Wikimedia Commons