PHI6500 - Pragmatism

Lecturer:

Christopher Hookway

Outline:

The pragmatist tradition is a philosophical movement that emerged in the United States during the late nineteenth century. Since around 1980, it has enjoyed a substantial revival, influential philosophers such as Richard Rorty, Hilary Putnam and Robert Brandom, insisting that they belong to the pragmatist tradition. The course will explore some of the writings of the three `classical pragmatists´ of the earlier period: Charles S. Peirce, William James and John Dewey. We shall also attempt to understand and evaluate the contributions of recent `pragmatists´. The course will focus on pragmatist ideas about truth and objectivity, including James´s claim that the true is what it is `satisfactory to believe´ and Peirce´s claim that the truth is what we are destined to believe in the long run. As well as looking at James´s view that it is it can be rational for our beliefs to be shaped by non-evidential considerations such as the passions, we shall consider the claim of modern pragmatists that values have a fundamental role in shaping our understanding of the `facts´.

Introductory Reading:

Pragmatism: the Classic Writings (ed. Thayer), Hackett 1982. (A selection of writings by the original pragmatists).
Philosophy and Social Hope by Richard Rorty.

Assessment:

The module is assessed on the basis of one long essay between 4000 and 6000 words in length (for RMA or TMA candidates) or two short essays between 2000 and 3000 words in length (for TMA candidates only). Essay topics should be chosen in consultation with the course teacher concerned. The essays should be thought of as mini research-papers, whose content can be related more or less loosely to the material covered in the course. Students should meet with the lecturer, or other appropriate member of staff to discuss the topic and to discuss a draft of the essay.

Lectures and Seminars:

The module is also available to undergraduates, and further details of the module are available through the link on the right-hand side of this page.

If there are three or more postgraduates taking the module, a separate seminar will be scheduled for postgraduates only.