Not offered 2007-2008
PHIL 379 American Pragmatism (Same as American Studies 379)
Along with jazz, pragmatism stands as the greatest uniquely American contribution to world culture. As the music wails in the background, we will study the classic pragmatists: William James, C. S. Peirce, and John Dewey. We will continue with the contemporary inheritors of the tradition: Cornel West, Richard Rorty, and Hilary Putnam. Although it has influenced both analytic and continental philosophy, pragmatism is a powerful third philosophical movement. Always asking what practical difference would it make, our authors investigate the central questions and disputes of philosophy, from epistemology and metaphysics to ethics and religion. Rather than seeing philosophy as an esoteric discipline, the pragmatic philosophers (with the possible exception of Peirce) see philosophy as integral to our culture and see themselves as public intellectuals.
Format: seminar. Requirements: final paper, several short assignments.
Prerequisite: Philosophy 102. Expected enrollment: 12-15. Preference given first to Philosophy and American Studies majors, and then to seniors and juniors of any major.

GERRARD