PHI320 - Pragmatism
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’. |
PresentationsStudents will have the opportunity to make presentations in seminars, introducing the topic for discussion (although this will not form part of the assessment for the course). There is a course web site, and use is made of texts and other resources available through the web. |
Introductory ReadingPragmatism: the Classic Writings (ed. Thayer), Hackett 1982. (A selection of writings by the original pragmatists).Philosophy and Social Hope by Richard Rorty. |
Assessment:One coursework essay (50%) and one two-hour pre-released examination (50%) |
Advised previous modules:-Theory of knowledge, Descartes and the Empiricists |
Lecturer:Christopher Hookway |
Lectures: Spring SemesterMon 12-1 Room HI-LT04Tue 10-11 Room AT-LT07 Seminars: Tue 3-4 Room BA-SR AG14 Wed 11-12 Room JB-SR 117 |