Kwame Anthony Appiah

Kwame Anthony Appiah (* 1954 in London) is a British-Ghanaian philosopher, cultural scientist and writer who has taught for many years as Professor of Philosophy and Law at New York University (NYU). He grew up in Ghana and England and studied at the University of Cambridge, where he received his doctorate in 1982. Appiah is internationally recognised for his work on ethics, culture, identity and multiculturalism.

His most important publications include ‘Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers’ (2006), in which he develops the idea of cosmopolitan coexistence in a globalised world, as well as ‘The Lies That Bind: Rethinking Identity’ (2018), which critically examines the concepts of identity, race, nationality, class and culture. Appiah advocates a cosmopolitan approach that recognises the diversity of human lifestyles while emphasising universal ethical principles.

In addition to his academic work, Appiah is also a columnist for the New York Times and was president of the PEN American Center, an organisation that promotes freedom of expression and literature. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the National Humanities Medal of the United States. Appiah is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the British Academy.

He has taught and conducted research at numerous renowned universities, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton and the University of Ghana. Appiah is involved in public debates on racism, migration and cultural diversity and is recognised as one of the most influential thinkers of our time. His work combines philosophical depth with social relevance and has been translated into many languages. Appiah lives in New York and London.