Berkley Center

There is an extensive literature and historical record of agitation for various forms of reparations from governments. Philosophers have responded to this literature and history by considering arguments for and against reparations in general and in specific historical cases. Much of this discussion has centered on the case of reparations for the harms of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, often specifically with respect to Black people in the United States. But the positions developed by philosophers have largely ignored potential contributions of the reasons and perspectives offered by activists and other political actors to the discussion. At this Religion, Culture, and Politics Workshop event, Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò, assistant professor of philosophy at Georgetown University, discussed his draft paper on reparations, which aims to demonstrate the potential fruits of such engagement with activists by pointing to a distinctive philosophical view made available by their work.