Slavery, Philosophy, and American Literature, 1830–1860

Explore the profound intersections of morality, literature, and philosophy in Maurice S. Lee's insightful work, Slavery, Philosophy, and American Literature, 1830–1860. Published by Cambridge University Press in 2010, this compelling paperback spans 232 pages, delving into the intellectual struggle surrounding slavery in 19th century America.

Lee expertly argues that the crisis of slavery extended beyond social and political realms, morphing into a philosophical dilemma that deeply influenced influential writers such as Edgar Allan Poe, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Frederick Douglass, Herman Melville, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Through their literary contributions, these authors grappled with the ethical challenges posed by slavery, revealing a desperate search for rational solutions amidst moral chaos.

Discover how antebellum moral philosophy, political theory, and metaphysics shaped the narrative of slavery in this unique examination that is essential for anyone interested in American literature, history, and philosophy.