Sylvia Wynter, Franz Fanon, and The Consciousness We Need

Tuesday 25 April | 17:30 - 19:00 | Room G01, House 10, School of English 


Join us for a discussion of Sylvia Wynter’s work on diasporic ‘double consciousness’, black resistance, and what both mean for us and our perspectives on the world. ​

In 'Towards the Sociogenic Principle: Fanon, the Puzzle of Conscious Experience of "Identity" and What it's Like to be "Black"', Wynter argues that humans are not biologically determined bodies, but beings for whom there is something which it is 'like' to be them. This consciousness is not universal, but depends on social position and the stories told about self and other. These issues have been acute for racially discriminated people, and form an entry-point for Fanon and Wynter’s ‘sociogenic principle’ in the experience of identity.​

Combining sociology with history, psychology with philosophy of mind, continental with analytic tradition, and ethnography and postcolonial thought, Wynter’s rich, complex text will be of interest to students and scholars from the humanities, social sciences and beyond.​

Please find the link to the text here: Towards the Sociogenic Principle: Fanon, the Puzzle of Conscious Experience of "Identity" and What it's Like to be "Black"

This session is open to all with no expectation of any previous engagement with Wynter's work. Snacks will be provided and please do join us for drinks afterwards. The session will be held in House 10 Cavendish Road, meeting room G.01 immediately to the right of the entrance. If you want to attend the event virtually, please get in touch at quiltingpoints@gmail.com.


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