Andrew S. Curran
William Armstrong Professor of the Humanities at Wesleyan University and author of Biography of a Dangerous Idea, a history of race from Louis XIV to Thomas Jefferson, specializing in Enlightenment intellectual history and biography.
Best podcasts with Andrew S. Curran
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Jan 8, 2026 • 1h 17min
Andrew S. Curran, "Biography of a Dangerous Idea: A New History of Race from Louis XIV to Thomas Jefferson" (Other Press, 2026)
Join Andrew S. Curran, a William Armstrong Professor of the Humanities at Wesleyan University, as he explores how Enlightenment thinkers influenced the concept of race. He discusses pivotal figures like Louis XIV and Jefferson, revealing the intertwining of Enlightenment ideals with systems of oppression. Curran examines how taxonomy transformed human classifications and highlights counterarguments from thinkers like Diderot. The conversation unpacks the moral complexities of these historical figures, making it both enlightening and thought-provoking.
Jan 2, 2026 • 1h 17min
Andrew S. Curran, "Biography of a Dangerous Idea: A New History of Race from Louis XIV to Thomas Jefferson" (Other Press, 2026)
Andrew S. Curran, a specialist in Enlightenment thought and author of Biography of a Dangerous Idea, dives deep into how pivotal figures like Louis XIV, Kant, and Jefferson shaped our understanding of race. He explores the transition from religious to secular views on humanity and how this shift fueled early racial classifications. Curran highlights the role of literature, like Labat's travelogues, in influencing racial ideas and discusses the contradictions of Enlightenment thinkers, particularly Jefferson’s views on race and liberty. This discussion is both enlightening and provocative, challenging notions of morality in historical context.
