This excellent collection is the most complete anthology of Latin American philosophers in English available today. Leading philosophers from several different Latin American countries and from various periods in the history of Latin American thought are included. Though the main focus is upon the rich contemporary period, several key texts from the colonial and independent period are included to provide the reader with some historical background. Dividing the work into four major sections — Colonial Beginnings and Independence, Philosophical Anthropology, Values, and The Search for Identity — the editors complement their selections with introductions to the themes covered in each section and brief biographies of each author. An up-to-date bibliography provides the reader with information on the latest work done in the field, both in English and Spanish.
This outstanding compilation is accessible enough to serve as an introduction to the field, while at the same time it is sufficiently sophisticated to be of use even to advanced scholars specializing in Latin American philosophy. It will serve as an important resource for students and teachers dedicated to a more pluralistic canon of philosophical texts.