Preludes to Pragmatism: Toward a Reconstruction of Philosophy

Preludes to Pragmatism: Toward a Reconstruction of Philosophy

Over the last two decades the distinguished philosopher Philip Kitcher has started to make a serious case for pragmatism as the source of a new life in contemporary philosophy. There are some, like Kitcher, who view today's analytic philosophy as mired in narrowly focused, technical disputes of little interest to the wider world. What is the future of philosophy, and what would it look like?

While Classical Pragmatism -- the American philosophy developed by John Dewey, Charles Peirce, and William James in the 19th century -- has a mixed reputation today, Kitcher admires the way its core ideas provide a way to prioritize avenues of inquiry. As he points out, both James and Dewey shared a wish to eliminate "insignificant questions" from philosophy, and both harbored suspicion of "timeless" philosophical problems handed down generation after generation. Rather, they saw philosophy as inherently embedded in its time, grappling with pressing issues in religion, social life, art, politics, and education. Kitcher has become increasingly moved by this reformist approach to philosophy, and the published essays included here, alongside a detailed introduction setting out Kitcher's views, provide motivation for his view of the "reconstruction of philosophy." These essays try to install the pragmatic spirit into contemporary philosophy, renewing James and Dewey for our own times.
Country USA
Brand OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
Manufacturer Oxford University Press
Binding Hardcover
ItemPartNumber 9780199899555
UnitCount 1
EANs 9780199899555
ReleaseDate 0000-00-00

Country	USA
Brand	OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
Manufacturer	Oxford University Press
Binding	Hardcover
ItemPartNumber	9780199899555
UnitCount	1
EANs	9780199899555
ReleaseDate	0000-00-00

Preludes to Pragmatism: Toward a Reconstruction of Philosophy

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