Pragmatism: A Guide for the Perplexed

Description

The recent revival of interest in pragmatism has reintroduced into mainstream philosophy the insights and arguments of great American philosophers such as C.S. Peirce, William James and John Dewey. But it has also led to the use of the term 'pragmatism' in a huge variety of contexts, such that students and readers can find this fascinating subject confusing. Pragmatism: A Guide for the Perplexed seeks to dispel some of the ambiguity surrounding the term 'pragmatism'. The book offers a clear and thorough account of this important philosophical movement. Thematically structured, it lays out the historical development and surveys the key thinkers. Crucially, it concentrates on the ways in which pragmatists, both contemporary and historical, have attempted to address some of the most important problems in philosophy. Geared towards the specific requirements of students who need to have a sound understanding of pragmatism, the book serves as an ideal companion to study of this most important and influential of movements.

Robert B. Talisse is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University, USA. His previous publications include Democracy After Liberalism (Routledge, 2005) and A Pragmatist Philosophy of Democracy (Routledge, 2007). Scott Aikin is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University, USA.

"A strong series of guides, aimed at the student market looking for more than just a basic introduction and overview on the subjects addressed. Each one is well written and contains enough information to get a student well-versed in the subjects at hand and form a strong basis for further study." -Publishing News, 2008 Mention -Book News, February 2009