Kantian Dignity and Trolley Problems in the Literature of Richard Wright

This book examines the literature of African-American author Richard Wright and the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, arguing that Wright was not only the foremost proponent of minoritarian protest literature, but also a groundbreaking minoritarian exponent of philosophical literature. In presenting this argument, the volume defends trolley problems from the criticism that some philosophers level against them by promoting their use as an interpretive tool for literary scholars. Starting with Martha C. Nussbaums interventions in literary theory concerning Henry James and perceptive equilibrium, this book draws on the philosophical thoughts of her contemporariesPhilippa Foot, John Rawls, Judith Jarvis Thomson, and Derek Parfitto analyze Uncle Toms Children, especially Down by the Riverside, alongside other works by Wright. This approach emphasizes Wrights recognition of the importance and integrity of Kants concept of dignity.