Skateboarding and Philosophy: Essays on the Life of the Grind

The histories of skateboarding and philosophy are not entirely dissimilar. Skateboarding got its start in the middle of the 20th century and quickly garnered a reputation as an activity that both attracted and encouraged a sort of lawless rebellion. In a similar vein, not long after its inception, philosophy was most commonly known for its out-of-the-box questioning of authority. However, both skating and philosophy eventually crept into the mainstream of society and have since earned their place as permanent fixtures in the culture. With all they have in common, it’s only appropriate that the two should intersect in this book.

This collection of 19 new essays (written by philosophers who are also skaters and skating enthusiasts) covers a wide variety of topics important to skating such as its culture, politics, history, art, and status as a sport. If you’re a skater (or someone who simply appreciates skating), and you’re interested in thinking a bit more carefully--a bit more deeply--about skateboarding, this book was put together to help you do just that.

Joshua Heter is an associate professor of philosophy at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Missouri. He has published a number of books on popular culture and philosophy. Josef Thomas Simpson is an academic coach at the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. He has contributed to a number of popular culture and philosophy volumes.