Richard RortyRichard Rorty is notorious for contending that the traditional, foundation-building and truth-seeking ambitions of systematic philosophy should be set aside in favour of a more pragmatic, conversational, hermeneutically guided project. This challenge has not only struck at the heart of philosophy but has ricocheted across other disciplines, both contesting their received self-images and opening up new avenues of inquiry in the process. Alan Malachowski provides an authoritative overview of Rorty's considerable body of work and a general assessment of his impact both within philosophy and in the humanities more broadly. He begins by explaining the genesis of Rorty's central ideas, tracking their development from suggestions in his early papers through their crystallization in his groundbreaking book, "Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature". Malachowski evaluates some of the common criticisms of Rorty's position and his ensuing pragmatism. The book examines the subsequent evolution of his ideas, focusing particularly on the main themes of his second major work, Contingency, Irony, and Solidarity. The political and cultural impact of Rorty's writings on such diverse fields as feminism, cultural and literary theory, and international relations are also considered, and the author explores why Rorty's work has generally found its warmest reception in these areas rather than among mainstream philosophers. |
Contents
Platonic yearnings | |
Pragmatism | |
Contingency | |
Liberalism | |
Some critics | |
Rortys legacy | |
Guide to further reading | |
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analytic philosophy analytic tradition argument attempt beliefs Blackburn Brandom Chapter claims conception concerns contingency correspondence culture Derrida Dewey Dewey’s discussion distinction epistemology example explain Furthermore ground Hegel Heidegger Hilary Putnam historical history of philosophy human hyper-critical ibid idea intellectual interesting interpretation intuitions invokes involve ironist irony issues judgements justification kind knowledge language liberal linguistic Linguistic Turn look Madhyamika Malachowski metaphors metaphysical mind Mirror of Nature moral Mount Everest Nagel Nietzsche norms notion objections one’s perhaps philosophy of language picture Plato political position possible practical pragmatism pragmatist problematic question Quine rational reading realist reality reason redescription regards representations rhetoric Richard Rorty Robert Brandom Rorty Rorty’s approach Rorty’s views seems sense simply social solidarity someone sort texts themes theory things thinkers thought traditional philosophical true truth verificationist W. V. Quine wants Wild Orchids Wittgenstein