
Richard Rorty
Ronald A. Kuipers(Author)
Bloomsbury Academic USA (Publisher)
Published on 17. January 2013
Book
Hardback
224 pages
978-1-4411-9238-7 (ISBN)
Description
Richard Rorty is one of the most
oft-cited yet least understood philosophers of the twentieth century. This
book offers an overview and introduction to Rorty's ideas, key writings
and contributions to the various fields of philosophy. Chronologically
organized, the book traces the development of Rorty's thought and examines
all the key topics, and controversies, central to his work.
Ronald A. Kuipers introduces Rorty's
complex thought through the exploration of three Rortyan personas: The
Philosophical Therapist, The Liberal Ironist, and the Anticlerical Prophet. This
exploration of Rorty's multivalent yet deeply coherent intellectual identity is
set against the background of Rorty's personal motivations for studying
philosophy, and for pursuing the controversial questions he did. The book
portrays how, in conversation with the traditions of American Pragmatism,
Analytic Philosophy, and Continental Thought, Rorty weaves his own unique and
original philosophy. Rorty's originality resides in his fresh approach to
interrelated social and political problems, revealing a thinker who has
important reasons for wading into controversial intellectual waters. This
is the ideal companion to study of this hugely influential thinker.
oft-cited yet least understood philosophers of the twentieth century. This
book offers an overview and introduction to Rorty's ideas, key writings
and contributions to the various fields of philosophy. Chronologically
organized, the book traces the development of Rorty's thought and examines
all the key topics, and controversies, central to his work.
Ronald A. Kuipers introduces Rorty's
complex thought through the exploration of three Rortyan personas: The
Philosophical Therapist, The Liberal Ironist, and the Anticlerical Prophet. This
exploration of Rorty's multivalent yet deeply coherent intellectual identity is
set against the background of Rorty's personal motivations for studying
philosophy, and for pursuing the controversial questions he did. The book
portrays how, in conversation with the traditions of American Pragmatism,
Analytic Philosophy, and Continental Thought, Rorty weaves his own unique and
original philosophy. Rorty's originality resides in his fresh approach to
interrelated social and political problems, revealing a thinker who has
important reasons for wading into controversial intellectual waters. This
is the ideal companion to study of this hugely influential thinker.
Reviews / Votes
Ronald Kuipers has written a well-informed, interesting, and clear overview of Richard Rorty's contributions to American thought. I find it especially instructive on Rorty's thinking about religion and politics. -- Jeffrey Stout, Professor of Religion at Princeton University, USA and author of 'Blessed Are the Organized' Even after his death, Richard Rorty is still "the most interesting philosopher in the world today" (Harold Bloom). Kuipers' book provides the best introduction to all facets of Rorty's work, not only for the beginning reader but also for anyone who cares about the relevance of philosophy today. The chapter on Rorty as Anticlerical Prophet is a tour de force. -- Nancy Frankenberry, John Phillips Professor of Religion at Dartmouth College, USA This is a good book for students coming to Rorty for the first time. We have the biography that formed the man, the criticism of "representation" that launched the bad-boy of analytic philosophy, and the political thought of the liberal ironist. Kuipers has an ear for Rorty's distinctive voice, and is skillful in pinning down what he calls "Rorty's philosophical evasions." -- Barry Allen, Professor of Philosophy at McMaster University, Canada Ronald Kuipers' study into the life and work of Richard Rorty is fresh, informed and insightful. Rarely are philosophical commentaries such a delight to read, but Kuipers' nails it. On the fifth anniversary of Professor Rorty's passing, Kuipers' book is also well timed. It's a reminder of how Rorty's thought remains relevant and of how sorely his presence is missed in these turbulent times. -- G. Elijah Dann, Adjunct Professor at Simon Fraser University, CanadaMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
475 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4411-9238-7 (9781441192387)
DOI
CBID132215
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Ronald A. Kuipers is Assistant Professor of the Philosophy of Religion at The Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto, Canada.
Content
Introduction \ 1. Hearing Rorty's Voice: An Exercise in Listening \ 2. The Philosophical Therapist: Understanding Rorty's Attack on Traditional Western Philosophy \ 3. The Public Intellectual: Rorty's Social and Political Philosophy \ 4. The Musical Atheist: Rorty and Religion \ 5. Challenging Voices: Rorty and some Critics \ Conclusion \ Bibliography \ Index.