Lexington Books
Pages: 310
•
Trim: 6½ x 9¼
978-1-4985-1315-9 • Hardback • August 2015 • $136.00 • (£105.00)
Phillip McReynolds is assistant professor of philosophy at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. He has published articles and book chapters on the philosophy of technology, philosophy and film, and other topics in a pragmatist vein. The conversations, which have been edited for inclusion in this book, were the basis for his documentary film, American Philosopher.
Introduction: Finding Philosophy’s Place
1. Cultivating the Experience of Philosophy in America: John E. Smith
2. Philosophy as Self-Creation: Richard Rorty
3. There are No Nobel Prizes in Philosophy (And There Shouldn’t Be): Hilary Putnam
4. Philosophy as Problem Solving: John Lachs
5. The Philosopher as Heretic and Cultural Explorer: Douglas Anderson
6. Family Ties and Improvisation in Philosophy: Vincent Colapietro
7. Anything Goes: Joseph Margolis
8. Beyond Theory and Praxis: Richard Bernstein
9. From Pastors to Professionals: James Campbell
10. Philosophers as World Travelers: Judith Green
11. Beyond Ontological Insecurity: Bruce Wilshire
12. Embodying Philosophy in America: Richard Shusterman
13. Practical Philosophy: Lucius Outlaw on Keeping Mind and Body Together in a Racist Society
14. Philosophy as Technology for Living: Larry Hickman
15. Philosophy and Social Vision: Erin McKenna on Practical Utopianism
16. American Anarchist: Crispin Sartwell
Lively and penetrating, McReynolds explores both the biographical roots and socio-cultural backgrounds of American philosophy. Should be read by anyone looking for refreshing thoughts on what philosophy is good for. Wholeheartedly recommended even by a non-American philosopher for non-American philosophers, even those who aren’t pragmatists.
— Emil Višňovský, Comenius University & Slovak Academy of Sciences
What is American philosophy? While typically understood as a revolt against certain traditional fixations in philosophy, American Philosopher provides a fresh and positive account. McReynold’s candid interviews with sixteen preeminent figures yield insightful, imaginative, and wry visions about what American philosophy is, today—and why it matters.
— David Hildebrand, University of Colorado Denver
McReynolds interviews fifteen philosophers who are working in America, in—or in the neighborhood of—the pragmatist tradition. The volume presents not only well-known figures (Rorty, Putnam) but a number of important thinkers who are less familiar outside the circles of academic philosophy. McReynolds elicits informative, often fascinating accounts of how these scholars came to philosophy, what they see as distinctive about the American philosophical tradition, how they understand their peers' views, and what they think the American philosophical orientation can do for us now. The American Philosopher presents a valuable portrait of the robust discussions that comprise American philosophy today.
— Kelly A. Parker, Grand Valley State University