The Ends of Philosophy Pragmatism, Foundationalism and Postmodernism

by Cahoone, Lawrence E.

• ISBN13: 9780631234050
• ISBN10: 0631234055
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-04-08
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

This book engages the confrontation between the foundationalist aims of traditional philosophy, the postmodern critique, and the pragmatic attempt to maintain a form of non-foundational inquiry. Through readings of the work of Peirde, Nietzsche, Wittgenstein, Buchler, Derrida, Rorty, and others, the author examines the nature and scope of philosophically relevant knowledge. Ambitious and important work, by a respected philosopher. Presents a clear and thoughtful analysis of key philosophical traditions. Examines the nature and scope of philosophically relevant knowledge.

Author Biography

Lawrence E. Cahoone is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the College of the Holy Cross. He is author of The Dilemma of Modernity (1989) and Civil Society: The Conservative Meaning of Liberal Politics (Blackwell 2002), and editor of From Modernism to Postmodernism (Second edition, Blackwell 2002).

Table of Contents

Preface

Abbreviations

Introduction

The Question of Philosophy

Realism and Philosophical Knowledge

Peirce's (Anti) Realism

Nonfoundational Realism

Nietzsche's Naturalistic Epistemology

Wittgenstein's Social Relativism

Buchler's Objective Relativism

Derrida's Semiotic Relativism

Rorty's Antiphilosophical Pragmatism

The Ends of Philosophy

Conclusion

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.