Professor Cornel West Lecture Five: American Allegro Molto Vivace

Prof. Cornel West delivers the 2024 Gifford Lecture Series at the University of Edinburgh, titled ‘A Jazz-soaked Philosophy for our Catastrophic Times: From Socrates to Coltrane’. This is the fifth of six lectures, titled ‘America Allegro Molto Vivace’.
In this lecture, Prof. West argues that the two great philosophically-inclined artists in early twentieth-century America were T.S. Eliot and Eugene O’Neill. Eugene O’Neill’s 49 plays constitute the greatest literary exploration of the cultural and spiritual dynamics of the American empire. Eliot’s work, especially his poems and criticism from 1917-1942, explored the end of the age of Europe with its wars, loveless creatures, hollow men, mindless barbarity, and devastated wastelands. As Prof. West discusses in response to O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh and Eliot’s Four Quartets, both writers understood the profound human tragedy of their times, but, trapped within a waning civilisation, neither artist could find a way out.
Prof. West is the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Professor of Philosophy & Christian Practice, Union Theological Seminary, New York. His teaching and publications focus on roles of race, gender, and class struggle in American society, synthesizing influences from Christianity, the Black Church, democratic socialism, left-wing populism, neopragmatism and transcendentalism. A musician and spoken word artist, Prof. West has collaborated with acts across the rap, hip-hop and funk genres, as well as appearing in the Matrix series and many documentary films.
The prestigious Gifford Lectureships, held at the Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and St Andrews, have been delivered annually since 1888 by a succession of distinguished international scholars. The Lectureships were established by Adam Lord Gifford (1820-1887) to ‘promote and diffuse the study of Natural Theology in the widest sense of the term - in other words, the knowledge of God’, and have enabled a most notable field of scholars to contribute to the advancement of theological thought.
Find out more about the Gifford Lectures: www.ed.ac.uk/a...
Gifford Lectures blog: blogs.ed.ac.uk...

[@TheNas45]

His exceptional memory for dates, names, locations, and titles is truly remarkable.

[@americapatton9266]

Dr. West lectures will sustain throughout history. I believe that Dr. West was sent to earth for a time such as this to encourage the world through service, academic inquiry, and through culturally relevant jazz soaked dialogue. I love the way he writes , and speaks with a focus on humanitarian ideals which l believe are helping to bring forth spiritual manifestations that are allowing miracles to happen.

[@clumsydad7158]

towering intellectual and spiritual thinker, integrated into history and humility ... wonderful, and thanks for your excellent video/audio rendition

[@joecho7777]

😂

[@cubannel12]

We have had many Presidential elected characters that have been put in position of power over the people in U.S. history. Too few actually put the need of the people over financial greed and corporate oppression. Having had those things run out of control to the point of leaving the American people in depression and distress. It would be my hope and prayer that We the people would be blessed to have Cornel West as our President in 2024.

[@akpanekpo6025]

I did share your sentiments for a few seconds until it occurred to me that people like him have no business in politics. Our world needs people with his kind of humanity, intellectual brilliance and moral consistency.

[@cubannel12]

@@akpanekpo6025 true. Normally he would not be running for President but being that he is the best possible chance we have to help the people of this country and the world. He is willing to sacrifice his personal life for the sake of humanity. Cornel West for President in 2024 because Progressives never give up,never surrender.

[@eliasmeasho117]

Zwcw

[@creatingpeace8945]

If only we could imagine it, that’s where I keep my sights.❤

[@Rickelsonnih]

Just outstanding, a personification; a resurrection, of the epitome of a consummation of Western thought, and a pragmatic sensabilty of re-introducing the best of our traditions to ourselves--as U.S. President would be transformational.

[@samuelweah272]

Thank you Dr west I can't stop listening to your lectures I wish you to be honest, courage president for our time may God bless you and your lovely wife

[@elisabethzweig4238]

What a great mind ❤ Thank you Professor Cornel West for another wonderful inspiring lecture.

[@JosephDuvernay]

And Yes! So wonderful. Thank you Sir et al.

[@J0hnC0ltrane]

I hope that you will be releasing that sixth lecture. Thank you for this series.

[@mohammedomar4652]

I love this guy .... Cornel made Anderson Cooper cry and his lectures are touching and real and informative and entertaining.

[@joecolleenjenkins3462]

food for thought - thank you DR WEST

[@FreshlyWILD]

Americas voice of reason: Brother West.

[@creatingpeace8945]

Jeez, some viewers were lost on this one (& turned mean) which is so interesting give topics here: O Neal etc seemed to prophesy on Americas loss of heart & mind. There’s something to these empty spirits that Coltrane might heal if they were merely able to hear him. I’m ready for lecture six Sir!

[@FFNONNONE]

Book to read: The American evasion of philosophy Book by Cornel West (1989)

[@pleaseleavemealoneandgoheal]

💯👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽💯

[@singintherain-e7h]

❤

[@bainesharo]

Cant understand his metaphoric expression of words..is he reading poem?

[@luvuyomakalima1676]

I guess you don't understand 60s avant-garde jazz either. Because, West as an Afro-American rhetorician speaks from that jazz tradition. And, of course you would also have to understand much of the philosophy and theology references that he is making.

[@DoncampbellUSMC1041]

OSWALD BATES 😂

[@troybody6662]

He's just a wind bag. Just regurgitation of giant words, but no answers, especially no answers for the Black man.

[@andreselectrico]

I used to have the same complaint for all philosophers. Until I understood that they are not supposed to do our job as autonomous individuals.

[@troybody6662]

@@andreselectrico This philosopher is a Black man who should be well aware that he will never be president (especially after Obama who he criticized). Professor Cornell was asked to bring up Cop City, every chance he gets. He said that he would, but has not. He said (out of his own mouth) that this is not the time to discuss reparations. Black people want reparations and an anti-hate crime bill for Black people. He has not mentioned either. He rails on about Palestine whom I support, but there are Jews here in America who are already protesting: "Not in our name."

[@glennmorris8787]

You are clueless

[@andreselectrico]

@@glennmorris8787 Fully agree.

[@creatingpeace8945]

Maybe (I haven’t listened yet) number six will speak to you & more focus on Black dilemma. One should look at other writings too however for truths about Americas empty, vacuous materialistic spirit…it’s how it’s population could conceive of & maintain such a blank stare at treatment of BIPOC💪🏾💞

[@Joeonline26]

Lost a lot of respect for him after some of his comments during the height of the BLM madness in 2020.

[@joecho7777]

Is he comedian?

[@Yoga_Lite]

No, just a great sense of humor

[@andreselectrico]

He's certainly funny, which is something many seem to appreciate, including me. But, what's the relation of your question with the subject under discussion? Or, alternatively, have you an issue with his being funny?

[@James-ll3jb]

This guy is an establishment cryptofascist

[@cropframe]

what a clown

[@anthonysisay1557]

What you cannot do you criticize, how interesting!

[@TheNas45]

You are the clown