Polity The Pragmatic Turn

In this major new work, Richard J. Bernstein argues that many of the most important themes in philosophy during the past one hundred and fifty years are variations and developments of ideas that were prominent in the classical American pragmatists: Charles S. Peirce, William James, John Dewey and George H Mead. Review "Whoever wants to understand how the classical pragmatism of Dewey, James and Peirce could survive a long period of harsh criticism by analytical philosophy and come to vitality again at the end of the 20th century, should read this book. It is by far the most perceptive account of the persistence of pragmatist motives and themes in contemporary philosophy. Bernstein succeeds with eloquence, perspicacity and lucidity to show us why an idea as old as one hundred years is of highest importance for our philosophical self-understanding today." Axel Honneth, University of Frankfurt "Richard Bernstein has written what is by far the best and most sophisticated account of recent and present-day pragmatist thought, including Rorty's and Brandom's. It is written with Bernstein's characteristic clarity, and it is the fruit of immense scholarship and deep thinking. It is a book that every serious student of these thinkers needs to read and think about." Hilary Putnam, Harvard University About the Author One of the leading American philosophers writing and teaching today, Richard J. Bernstein is Vera List Professor of Philosophy at the New School for Social Research in New York and former dean of its graduate faculty. Prior to that, for more than two decades he was?professor of philosophy at Haverford College. Few contemporary philosophers are as influential in so many different intellectual disciplines and discussions as Bernstein. He is at home not only among American pragmatic philosophers with whom he is so closely identified but equally with Continental thinkers.