 Likewise, Lotze’s contributions to the topic of polygenesis, with its obvious consequences for projects of scientific racism, may help explain Lotze’s line of influence, extending through the history of African American philosophy, beginning with Du Bois’ The Souls of Black Folk (1903). While “folk” has obvious Herderian overtones, for “soul” Du Bois would have drawn more naturally on Lotze, under the tutelage of McCosh and James (cf. Rampersad, 1990, p. 74). In point of fact, it appears that it is one of Lotze’s leading ideas that provides a key impetus to Du Bois cultural project.