Given neoliberal pressures in academia to assess the value of educational efforts using market-based logic, some have argued that academic philosophy must demonstrate its utility and relevance outside of academia to navigate an era of increasing divestment from the humanities. In this talk, I use my experience engaging in philosophical projects outside of academia to argue why pushing back against neoliberal ideology can support the growth of philosophy. I propose the model of “grassroots philosophy” as a democratic approach to engaged philosophical work that resonates with some core principles of field philosophy while challenging others, which I hope will open future conversations. Grassroots philosophy reflects a praxis based in community organizing in which the norms of professional philosophy (specifically, views about who are considered philosophers, what work is understood to be “doing philosophy,” and where philosophical thinking emerges and thrives) are unsettled and reconceptualized.

Alisa Bierria is an assistant professor in the Department of Gender Studies at UCLA. A Black feminist philosopher, Alisa’s forthcoming book is entitled, Missing in Action: Agency, Race, & Invention, which explores how intention is imagined and invented within structures of anti-black racism, carceral reasoning, and gendered violence. 

Join Zoom Meeting: https://msu.zoom.us/j/97708676929
Meeting ID: 977 0867 6929 Passcode: 018865