Pragmatism and Political Theory

ISBN-13: 9780745616278 / Angielski / Miękka / 1997 / 248 str.

Matthew Festenstein

Opis

This exciting new book is the first comprehensive and critical study of the relationship between the Pragmatist tradition and political theory. Festenstein develops his argument through a detailed and original reading of four key thinkers: John Dewey, Richard Rorty, Jurgen Habermas and Hilary Putnam.

Recenzje

"This is a splendid contribution to the lively conversation about the vitality of the pragmatic legacy, and a sympathetic, lucid, critical reconstruction of Dewey′s political philosophy showing how his understanding of democracy is grounded in our moral life." Professor Richard J. Bernstein, New School for Social Research

"Pragmatism has been vigorously revived in philosophy, and Matthew Festenstein′s book provides an exemplary and thoroughgoing account of its implications for political theory." Raymond Plant, St Catherine′s College, Oxford

"An interesting study which lives up to its own pretensions: to be a non–exhaustive, yet fresh look at a tradition which deserves attention from political theorists." Acta Politica

Spis treści

List of Abbreviations.

Introduction.

Part I: Dewey′s Political Philosophy:.

1. Interpreting Dewey′s Political Thought.

2. Pragmatism in the Moral Life.

3. Individuality and Democracy.

Part II: New Pragmatisms:.

4. An Overview.

5. Ethnocentrism and Irony.

6. Reconstructions.

Conclusion.

Notes.

Index.

O autorze

Matthew Festenstein is Lecturer in Politics at the University of Hull.

Blurb

This exciting new book is the first comprehensive and critical study of the relationship between the Pragmatist tradition and political theory.

Festenstein provides a fresh and timely assessment of the Pragmatist tradition, arguing that a proper view of it deepens our understanding of democratic politics and the foundations of moral and political theory. The author develops this approach through a detailed and original reading of the work of four key thinkers, John Dewey, Richard Rorty, Jürgen Habermas and Hilary Putnam.

The author argues that two clusters of problems are central to pragmatist political philosophy: the objectivity of political morality, and the theoretical foundations of democratic community. In the context of these issues the book provides an interpretation of pragmatist political theory and assesses its adequacy. The result is a lucid interpretation which establishes the continuing relevance of Pragmatism in contemporary debates in philosophy and political theory.

Pragmatism and Political Theory will be invaluable reading for students in philosophy, ethics, politics theory and the history of political thought.