The Ethics of Cultural Appropriation

Cultural appropriation is a pervasive feature of today's world. Whether it occurs within a country or across nations, it arises in every facet of a multicultural society. It can take many forms-from incorporating African-American musical styles to assimilating religious practices of indigenous peoples. And because it is usually seen as being inextricably bound with the oppression of minority cultures, the topic itself is often controversial and inspires passionate debates. But is cultural appropriation always morally objectionable? And are there instances where it might also be benign-or even beneficial? The Ethics of Cultural Appropriation undertakes a comprehensive and systematic investigation of the moral and aesthetic questions that arise from the practice of cultural appropriation. With sensitivity and rigorous empirical research, this groundbreaking work brings together a team of leading philosophers and experts in the social sciences to examine the ethics of cultural appropriation in its various guises: the arts and archaeology, museums, genetics, ecological knowledge, religion, and more.