Philosophical Exclusion and Conversational Practices

"Philosophy" may often be functionally defined by our conversational practices, such that boundaries within the discipline and barriers to greater inclusivity are more often felt than explicitly announced or plainly posted. Because of this, even where philosophers are ostensibly and generally well disposed toward inclusivity, they may nonetheless participate in intellectual and conversational practices that act like gatekeeping. Indeed, as I argue here, the way the profession talks about whether or not to find greater place for Asian philosophies often already contains the negative answer. The dialogue, even where ostensibly open and interested, is itself shaped as a no.