Pragmatism : An Introduction

This is the definitive companion to the study of pragmatism. It provides students with an accessible, comprehensive and philosophical rigorous introduction to all the major thinkers, issues and debates. Ideal for use on undergraduate courses, but also of lasting value for postgraduate students, the structure and content of this textbook closely reflect the way pragmatism is studied and taught. Clearly structured and easy to navigate, the text provides a historical overview of the subject, placing pragmatism in a historical, cultural and social context and including coverage of the major classical American pragmatists: Peirce, James and Dewey. It goes on to explore the role of pragmatism in contemporary philosophy, specifically in relation to political theory, legal theory, ethics, epistemology and philosophy of science. Crucially, the book encourages students to engage in pragmatist thinking for themselves by illustrating a pragmatic approach to doing philosophy. John Capp's cogent and thorough analysis is supplemented by student-friendly features, including chapter summaries, discussion questions, and a comprehensive guide to further reading.