The Pragmatic Vision

Themes in Philosophical Pragmatism

Nicholas Rescher

Since C. S. Pierce advocated a pragmatic approach to truth and knowledge, it has been one of the characteristic themes of American philosophy. This book examines how pragmatism's central ideas can be applied and implemented across the entire domain of philosophical deliberations, ranging from theory of knowledge and the value theory to providing explanations for human actions, and even to matters of ethics and religion. While there are various ways in which to weigh the merit of a philosophical idea or theory, this book makes the case that an assessment of that theory’s applicative utility is of the essence. The intersection of the theoretical and the practical is where meaningful philosophizing finds its legs, and Rescher’s unique pragmatically oriented analyses of traditional philosophical us to regard some historically prominent philosophical ideas in a new and revealing light.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 164 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-1-4422-2705-7 • Hardback • December 2013 • $128.00 • (£98.00)

978-1-4422-2706-4 • eBook • December 2013 • $121.50 • (£94.00)

Subjects: Philosophy / Movements / Pragmatism, Philosophy / Movements / General

The Pragmatic Vision

Themes in Philosophical Pragmatism

Hardback

eBook

Summary

Since C. S. Pierce advocated a pragmatic approach to truth and knowledge, it has been one of the characteristic themes of American philosophy. This book examines how pragmatism's central ideas can be applied and implemented across the entire domain of philosophical deliberations, ranging from theory of knowledge and the value theory to providing explanations for human actions, and even to matters of ethics and religion. While there are various ways in which to weigh the merit of a philosophical idea or theory, this book makes the case that an assessment of that theory’s applicative utility is of the essence. The intersection of the theoretical and the practical is where meaningful philosophizing finds its legs, and Rescher’s unique pragmatically oriented analyses of traditional philosophical us to regard some historically prominent philosophical ideas in a new and revealing light.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 164 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-1-4422-2705-7 • Hardback • December 2013 • $128.00 • (£98.00)

978-1-4422-2706-4 • eBook • December 2013 • $121.50 • (£94.00)

Subjects: Philosophy / Movements / Pragmatism, Philosophy / Movements / General

Author

Nicholas Rescher is Distinguished University Professor of Philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh where he has also served as Chairman of the Philosophy Department and a Director (and currently Chairman) of the Center for Philosophy of Science. To recognize his fifty years of service to the institution, the University of Pittsburgh established in 2010 the substantial Nicholas Rescher Prize for Contributions to Systematic Philosophy.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS
Preface

1.The Pragmatic Vision

2.Theoretical Utility

3.Knowledge in Pragmatic Perspective

4.Leaping in the Dark

5.Supposition as a Pragmatism Device

6.Induction as a Pragmatic Resource

7.Facts and Values in Pragmatic Perspective

8.Excellence as a Pragmatic Conception

9.On Explaining and Evaluating Human Actions

10.Condemnation vs. Blame in Pragmatic Perspective

11.On the Pragmatic Role of Positive Interpersonal Attitudes

12.The Pragmatics of Betterment

13.Can Pragmatism Validate Itself?

14.Pragmatism and Religion

Name Index

The Pragmatic Vision

Themes in Philosophical Pragmatism

Nicholas Rescher

The Pragmatic Vision

Themes in Philosophical Pragmatism

ALSO AVAILABLE