Slavery in Early Modern Philosophy 1500-1765

Abstract This volume contains thirty-four philosophical texts about slavery that were composed in Europe and America between 1500 and 1765. Jointly, these texts demonstrate that debates about slavery deserve a central place in the history of philosophy. They are crucial for understanding early modern moral and political philosophy as well as the development of the concept of race and the history of racism. The texts discuss various aspects of slavery and represent many different perspectives. Some treat slavery as a purely theoretical issue, others explicitly examine transatlantic slavery, the enslavement of American Indians, or other specific historical institutions. Some criticize slavery, others defend it.…