Richard Rorty is famous, maybe even infamous, for his philosophical nonchalance. His groundbreaking work not only rejects all theories of truth but also dismisses modern epistemology and its preoccupation with knowledge and representation. At the same time, the celebrated pragmatist believed there could be no universally valid answers to moral questions, which led him to a complex view of religion rarely expressed in his writings. In this posthumous publication, Rorty, a strict secularist, finds in the pragmatic thought of John Dewey, John Stuart Mill, William James, and George Santayana, among others, a political imagination shared by religious traditions. His intent is not to promote belief over nonbelief or to blur the distinction between religious and public domains. Rorty seeks only to locate patterns of similarity and difference so an ethics of decency and a politics of solidarity can rise. He particularly responds to Pope Benedict XVI and his campaign against the relativist vision. Whether holding theologians, metaphysicians, or political ideologues to account, Rorty remains steadfast in his opposition to absolute uniformity and its exploitation of political strength.
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Foreword: Richard Rorty: A Philosophical Guide to Talking About Religion, by Jeffrey W. Robbins Introduction, by Gianni Vattimo An Ethics for Today, by Richard Rorty Conclusion: Philosophy, Religion, and Religious Belief After Rorty, by G. Elijah Dann
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This striking presentation of Rorty's influential thoughts will be of value to those grounded in the study of philosophy, religion, and their interaction. Library Journal ...concise but none the less immensely thoughtful... -- Roman Madzia Pragmatism Today This book makes for fascinating reading. It is a rare philosophy book that is a page-turner that can be read in one or two sittings. -- Daniel Dombrowski Sophia
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Richard Rorty's argument rather clearly and succinctly brings the claims of pragmatism to issues at the heart of Catholic politics-a clash between relativism and fundamentalism that is in many ways emblematic of the larger struggles between religious and secular traditions across the globe. -- Robert T. Valgenti, Lebanon Valley College Contrary to Richard Rorty's previous writings on religion, this book engages in a critical debate with the dogmatic and metaphysical affirmations of Pope Benedict XVI on human nature, relativism, and homosexuality. Commenting on the progressive philosophies pf John Stuart Mill, George Santayana, Martin Heidegger, John Dewey, Jurgen Habermas, and Peter Singer, Rorty shows how the pope belongs to those fundamentalist intellectuals who still believe that truth is greater than any other value, including democracy. -- Santiago Zabala, ICREA Research Professor at the University of Barcelona, author of The Remains of Being
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780231150569
Publisert
2010-11-04
Utgiver
Vendor
Columbia University Press
Høyde
178 mm
Bredde
140 mm
Aldersnivå
UP, 05
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet

Forfatter
Introduksjon ved
Foreword by
Afterword by

Om bidragsyterne

Richard Rorty (1931-2007) was professor of comparative literature and philosophy at Stanford University. His Columbia University Press books are The Future of Religion (with Gianni Vattimo) and What's the Use of Truth? Gianni Vattimo is emeritus professor of philosophy at the University of Turin and a member of the European Parliament. His books include The Responsibility of the Philosopher; Christianity, Truth, and Weakening Faith: A Dialogue (with Rene Girard); Nihilism and Emancipation: Ethics, Politics, and Law; and After Christianity.