Early Life And Education

Susan Buck-Morss: A Renowned Political Philosopher

Early Life and Education

Susan Buck-Morss was born on February 24, 1946, in New York City. She earned her Bachelor's degree from Antioch College in 1968, followed by a Master's degree from the University of Zurich in 1973. In 1980, she obtained her PhD in Political Science from Cornell University.

Academic Career

After completing her PhD, Buck-Morss joined the faculty of the University of California, Berkeley, where she taught Political Science from 1981 to 1989. In 1989, she moved to Cornell University as a Professor of Political Theory and Humanities. Since 2001, she has held the position of Distinguished Professor of Political Science at the CUNY Graduate Center.

Contributions to Political Philosophy

Susan Buck-Morss is widely recognized for her contributions to contemporary political philosophy, particularly her work on Walter Benjamin's writings. Her pathbreaking study, "The Dialectics of Seeing: Walter Benjamin and the Arcades Project" (1989), explored the intersections between Benjamin's political thought and his theory of aesthetics. She has also written extensively on the history of political ideas, the Frankfurt School, and the philosophy of history.

Notion of Dreamworld

In her work, Buck-Morss has developed the concept of "dreamworld" as a way of understanding the collective mental states that shape political thought and action. She argues that dreamworlds are not merely fantastical realms but rather "structured sites of social production" that generate both emancipatory and oppressive possibilities. Her analysis of dreamworlds has influenced a wide range of scholars in political science, history, and cultural studies.

Current Research

Susan Buck-Morss continues to be an active scholar and writer. Her current research focuses on the philosophy of the Anthropocene, the impact of the digital revolution on political and economic life, and the future of political thought.