Overview

In a deeply unequal world, numerous categories of people have been consigned to disadvantaged positions. Are those on society's fringes doomed to remain there, or might marginality offer potential pathways toward a more equitable future? This groundbreaking book reimagines marginality as a transformative force, interweaving personal narratives with cultural, literary, and philosophical analysis to reveal how perspectives from the margins can catalyze social change. Drawing on her own experiences as an Asian American female philosopher specializing in non-Western thought within an academic world dominated by white male-centered Western traditions, Jin Y. Park argues that personal stories are essential to philosophical inquiry. Ranging across non-Western philosophy, South Korean literature, and Asian American and African American voices as well as Western philosophy, she invites readers to examine their own feelings of marginality, reflecting on how lived experiences shape the search for meaning and values. Bridging theoretical insights and real-world issues, Marginality offers fresh perspective on contemporary challenges such as violence, social discrimination, and economic inequality. Urging a radical rethinking of how we understand power, community, and social justice, this book calls on readers to embrace the solidarity of the margins to drive positive change.

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9780231209373

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Reviews

A fascinating and deeply personal philosophical study that examines the roots and effects of marginality but also, by drawing largely on East Asian Buddhist sources, explores the possibilities for constructive engagement and transformative change that finds new meaning through overcoming the suffering caused by discrimination. -- Steven Heine, professor of religious studies, Florida International University Jin Y. Park’s Marginality is a compassionately incisive meditation on the cries and creativity of the marginalized. As personal as it is philosophical, Marginality weaves real and fictional life stories and experiences into a compelling call to action—a timely invitation to engage in the creative and humane labor of realizing the conditions of resolutely shared flourishing for all. -- Peter D. Hershock, author of <i>Consciousness Mattering: A Buddhist Synthesis</i> It is remarkable how seamlessly Park weaves her personal perspective as an Asian American scholar with insights from ancient and modern philosophers from Asian and European traditions. The result is an uncommonly clear, compelling, and important exposition of the theme of marginality, from which readers of any background can learn. -- Jonathan C. Gold, author of <i>Paving the Great Way: Vasubandhu's Unifying Buddhist Philosophy</i>

A fascinating and deeply personal philosophical study that examines the roots and effects of marginality but also, by drawing largely on East Asian Buddhist sources, explores the possibilities for constructive engagement and transformative change that finds new meaning through overcoming the suffering caused by discrimination. -- Steven Heine, professor of religious studies, Florida International University Jin Y. Park’s Marginality is a compassionately incisive meditation on the cries and creativity of the marginalized. As personal as it is philosophical, Marginality weaves real and fictional life stories and experiences into a compelling call-to-action—a timely invitation to engage in the creative and humane labor of realizing the conditions of resolutely shared flourishing for all. -- Peter D. Hershock, author of <i>Consciousness Mattering: A Buddhist Synthesis</i> It is remarkable how seamlessly Park weaves her personal perspective as an Asian American scholar with insights from ancient and modern philosophers from Asian and European traditions. The result is an uncommonly clear, compelling and important exposition of the theme of marginality, from which readers of any background can learn -- Jonathan C. Gold, author of <i>Paving the Great Way: Vasubandhu's Unifying Buddhist Philosophy</i>

Author Information

Jin Y. Park is William Fraser McDowell Chair Professor of Philosophy and Religion at American University. She has served as president of the American Academy of Religion, the North American Korean Philosophy Association, and the Society for Asian and Comparative Philosophy.

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