Lexington Books Radical Generosity: Resisting Xenophobia, Considering Cosmopolitanism

In this bold and original work, Ali Kashani argues that the rise of the far right political discourse, xenophobia, and the current immigration and refugee crisis indicate that existing values, norms, and practices are inadequate. Thus, it is vital to critique and resist existing values and norms that produce ultra-nationalistic and xenophobic practices. Thus, radical generosity is crucial and necessary. The concept of radical generosity opens the possibility for the transformation of ethical and political practices and a move toward cosmopolitanism. Kashani develops the concept of radical generosity as a social and political practice and as an original grounding for cosmopolitanism, as both an ethical and political transformative practice-and as a critique to resist the rise of the far right political discourse and xenophobia. Radical Generosity suggests, a new way to bridge ethical and political practices and moves beyond ethical subjectivity by Derrida and Levinas and draws inspiration from the Stoics, Aristotle's virtue ethics , radicalized by Nietzsche's concept of magnanimity with anarchist tendencies,and Marx's idea of praxis as social transformative practice. Review Going beyond mainstream arguments for cosmopolitanism, Kashani blends insights from the Aristotelian/Stoic philosophy of self-realization with a post-metaphysical ethics of self-overcoming to re-found cosmopolitan praxis on a thoroughly original conception of magnanimity. Clearly written and scholarly. This important study is imperative reading for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of the intersection of ancient and modern cosmopolitanism.--David Ingram, Loyola University, Chicago About the Author Ali Kashani is professor of philosophy and political theory at San Francisco State University.