Dave Chappelle and Philosophy

Dave Chappelle’s life and career raise a wide range of philosophical questions about race, gender, the ethics of humor, the problems with cancel culture, and American politics and history. Chappelle says that as an artist his aim is to “reveal people to themselves,” and he insists on absolute artistic freedom for comedians. This makes many people uncomfortable, while others love it. Dave Chappelle and Philosophy treats it as an invitation to think about some of the most urgent moral and political questions of our time.

“Dave Chappelle. Truth-teller or out of touch? Progressive or retrograde? Timeless or tired? Feminist or misogynist? Ally or apologist? Iconic or infamous? The philosophers gathered here confront these questions and more, offering readers a deeper appreciation of Chappelle’s art and a better understanding of Chappelle as an artist. Dave Chappelle and Philosophy is a portrait of the artist as a middle-aged man and anyone interested in comedy, and potentially some who aren’t, will enjoy and benefit from this book.” —Sheila Lintott, Professor of Philosophy, Bucknell University

“Hunkered down in our various ideological bunkers, we live certain in our knowledge of who’s on our side and who’s the enemy. Dave Chappelle is unique in his ability to make us laugh while scrambling the lines, making everyone uncomfortable. This is also what good philosophy does. Put the two together and the result is this volume, full of challenging, insightful discussion.” —Steven Gimbel, author of Isn’t That Clever: A Philosophical Account of Humor and Comedy (2020)

“Dave Chappelle and Philosophy is a wide-ranging deep dive into the most distinctive and creative comedian of our generation. Anyone interested in a deeper philosophical appreciation of Chappelle’s work should read this book.”—Luvell Anderson, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Syracuse University

“Whether you love Dave Chappelle or detest him, this volume is a must-read. Picking up with ponderous questions about race, sex, gender, American society, and the utility of humor that his oft-controversial humor leaves hanging in the air for a thoughtful audience, these exceptional essayists offer invaluable direction to those of us bamboozled by the landscape Chappelle lays before us.”—Tom Wilk, Widener University

“This wonderful collection approaches Chappelle as ‘the most talented comedian in the world’ and humor as ‘one of the most valuable things in life’. Explaining why we’re drawn to Chappelle’s comedy despite its flaws, this remarkable study of the value of comedy, its relationship with truth, and its ties with freedom succeeds in unraveling the unique job of comedy through a close and engaging analysis of a controversial phenomenon in contemporary culture.”—Lydia Amir, Tufts University, author of The Legacy of Nietzsche’s Philosophy of Laughter (2021)

“Whether up or down, humor cannot do without punching. In the twenty-first-century US of A, no stand-up comedian has attracted such large audiences as Dave Chappelle, whose anarchic brilliance and scorching satire have been the source of much controversy, commentary, commendation, and commercial success. In this essay collection, twenty-nine scholars discuss Chappelle’s artistry from a fistful of ethico-political and socio-cultural perspectives.” —Giorgio Baruchello and Ársæll Már Arnarsson, authors of Humour and Cruelty (2022)