Reconstructing Pragmatism

Known as the bad boy of American philosophy, Richard Rorty bears a complex relation to the tradition of American pragmatism. Chris Voparil aims to provide a counterweight to the reams of criticism of Rorty's alleged distortions and misunderstandings of the so-called classical pragmatists (Peirce, James, Dewey, Royce, Addams). He offers an updated interpretation of Rorty's rejuvenated pragmatism, newly relevant for today, that responds to and moves beyond the philosopher's critical challenges.