Introduction

This study is the first extended, systematic, and thoroughgoing philosophical interrogation of Cornel West’s diverse corpus as a cohesive whole and with a specific focus on social justice. ¹ By this I mean that the present study elaborates, articulates, and analyzes the theoretical framework that is central to and thus gives unity to West’s diverse intellectual preoccupations. That theoretical framework is an admixture of pragmatism, existentialism, Marxism, and Black prophetic Christianity. West’s intellectual preoccupations crystallize around the theme of social justice. Or, alternatively put, social justice is the guiding preoccupation of West’s philosophy. Accordingly, any serious discussion of West’s philosophical views cannot but examine his various claims about social justice. In light of this fact, my proposed aim is both to elaborate West’s position on social justice and to advance a penetrating critique of some of the concrete issues on social justice that West examines in light of his subscription to pragmatism, existentialism, Marxism, and Black prophetic Christianity.