Pragmatism With Purpose

Pragmatism with Purpose collects essays by the late Peter Hare, a leading proponent of the American philosophical tradition. The volume includes essays on “holistic pragmatism” that Hare developed in conversation with Morton White, as well as historical articles on William James and C. S. Peirce and commentaries on the profession.

Pragmatism: An Introduction provides an account of the arguments of the central figures of the most important philosophical tradition in the American history of ideas, pragmatism. This wide-ranging and accessible study explores the work of the classical pragmatists Charles Sanders Peirce, William James and John Dewey, as well as more recent philosophers including Richard Rorty, Richard J. Bernstein, Cheryl Misak, and Robert B. Brandom. Michael Bacon examines how pragmatists argue for the importance of connecting philosophy to practice. In so doing, they set themselves in opposition to many of the presumptions that have dominated philosophy since Descartes. The book demonstrates how pragmatists reject the Cartesian spectator theory of knowledge, in which the mind is viewed as seeking accurately to represent items in the world, and replace it with an understanding of truth and knowledge in terms of the roles they play within our social practices. The book explores the diverse range of positions that have engendered marked and sometimes acrimonious disputes amongst pragmatists. Bacon identifies the themes underlying these differences, revealing a greater commonality than many commentators have recognized. The result is an illuminating narrative of a rich philosophical movement that will be of interest to students in philosophy, political theory, and the history of ideas.

Pragmatism with Purpose collects essays by the late Peter Hare, a leading proponent of the American philosophical tradition. The volume includes essays on ""holistic pragmatism"" that Hare developed in conversation with Morton White, as well as historical articles on William James and C.S. Peirce and commentaries on the profession.

Michael R. Slater argues for the contemporary relevance of pragmatist views in the philosophy of religion.

Larry A. Hickman presents John Dewey as very much at home in the busy mix of contemporary philosophy—as a thinker whose work now, more than fifty years after his death, still furnishes fresh insights into cutting-edge philosophical debates. Hickman argues that it is precisely the rich, pluralistic mix of contemporary philosophical discourse, with its competing research programs in French-inspired postmodernism, phenomenology, Critical Theory, Heidegger studies, analytic philosophy, and neopragmatism—all busily engaging, challenging, and informing one another—that invites renewed examination of Dewey’s central ideas. Hickman offers a Dewey who both anticipated some of the central insights of French-inspired postmodernism and, if he were alive today, would certainly be one of its most committed critics, a Dewey who foresaw some of the most trenchant problems associated with fostering global citizenship, and a Dewey whose core ideas are often at odds with those of some of his most ardent neopragmatist interpreters. In the trio of essays that launch this book, Dewey is an observer and critic of some of the central features of French-inspired postmodernism and its American cousin, neopragmatism. In the next four, Dewey enters into dialogue with contemporary critics of technology, including Jürgen Habermas, Andrew Feenberg, and Albert Borgmann. The next two essays establish Dewey as an environmental philosopher of the first rank—a worthy conversation partner for Holmes Ralston, III, Baird Callicott, Bryan G. Norton, and Aldo Leopold. The concluding essays provide novel interpretations of Dewey’s views of religious belief, the psychology of habit, philosophical anthropology, and what he termed “the epistemology industry.”

Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking by William James is a groundbreaking work that explores the philosophy of pragmatism and its practical applications in personal development and decision-making. Key Aspects of Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking: Pragmatic Approach to Life: The book introduces readers to the concept of pragmatism, which emphasizes the practical consequences of beliefs and actions. James argues that truth should be evaluated based on its usefulness and effectiveness in achieving desired outcomes. He encourages readers to adopt a pragmatic mindset and make decisions that lead to practical results and personal growth. Flexibility and Adaptability: Pragmatism promotes a flexible and adaptive approach to life. James argues that individuals should be open to new ideas, experiences, and perspectives, constantly reassessing and adjusting their beliefs and actions based on practical outcomes. The book emphasizes the importance of learning from experience, experimenting, and adapting to changing circumstances to achieve personal and professional success. Action-Oriented Thinking: James highlights the significance of taking action and testing ideas in the real world. He argues that theories and concepts should be put into practice to determine their validity and effectiveness. Pragmatism encourages readers to actively engage with the world, pursue their goals, and learn from their experiences to continually refine their thinking and approach to life. Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking provides readers with a philosophical framework that can be applied to personal development and decision-making. By embracing pragmatism, individuals can adopt a practical, flexible, and action-oriented mindset, enabling them to navigate challenges, make informed choices, and achieve their goals. William James' thought-provoking ideas and practical insights make this book a valuable resource for those seeking personal growth and development. William James: William James, born in 1842, was an American philosopher and psychologist. Considered one of the founders of American psychology, James made significant contributions to the fields of pragmatism and the study of consciousness. His influential works, such as The Principles of Psychology and Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking, revolutionized our understanding of the mind, perception, and the nature of truth. James' pragmatic philosophy emphasized the practical consequences of beliefs and ideas, shaping the development of American philosophy and psychology.

This volume offers an overview of the pragmatic understanding of knowledge and the acquisition of knowledge, and its implications for the conduct of educational research. Pragmatism and Educational Research focuses primarily on the work of John Dewey, and examines the relationship between pragmatism and educational research both in relation to research methodology and to a pragmatic educational theory. Biesta and Burbules provide examples of characteristic research questions and research methods and approaches, as informed by a pragmatist outlook. Further, they argue that the major benefit of a pragmatic approach to educational research lies in the possibility of promoting intelligent and reflective action by educational practitioners.

Throughout his diverse and highly influential career, Hilary Putnam was famous for changing his mind. As a pragmatist he treated philosophical “positions” as experiments in deliberate living. His aim was not to fix on one position but to attempt to do justice to the depth and complexity of reality. In this new collection, he and Ruth Anna Putnam argue that key elements of the classical pragmatism of William James and John Dewey provide a framework for the most progressive and forward-looking forms of philosophy in contemporary thought. The Putnams present a compelling defense of the radical originality of the philosophical ideas of James and Dewey and their usefulness in confronting the urgent social, political, and moral problems of the twenty-first century. Pragmatism as a Way of Life brings together almost all of the Putnams’ pragmatist writings—essays they wrote as individuals and as coauthors. The pragmatism they endorse, though respectful of the sciences, is an open experience-based philosophy of our everyday lives that trenchantly criticizes the fact/value dualism running through contemporary culture. Hilary Putnam argues that all facts are dependent on cognitive values, while Ruth Anna Putnam turns the problem around, illuminating the factual basis of moral principles. Together, they offer a shared vision which, in Hilary’s words, “could serve as a manifesto for what the two of us would like philosophy to look like in the twenty-first century and beyond.”