America's Philosophical Vision

ISBN: 0226763684

Author: Smith, John E. E.

Condition: New

In these previously uncollected essays, Smith argues thatAmerican philosophers like Peirce, James, Royce, andDewey have forged a unique philosophical tradition-onethat is rich and complex enough to represent a genuinealternative to the analytic, phenomenological, andhermeneutical traditions which have originated in Britainor Europe."In my judgment, John Smith has no equal today incombining two scholarly qualities: the analysis ofphilosophical texts with penetration and rigor, and thediscernment of what it is in these texts that matters.These qualities are in evidence throughout the essays inAmerica's Philosophical Vision. Whether he isevaluating Rorty's view of Dewey; the pragmatic theory ofexperience and truth; theories of freedom, creativity,and the self; Royce's conception of community; orsynoptic philosophic visions, Smith always succeeds inuniting a comprehensive understanding of philosophicwritings with a sure grasp of their import for humanculture and aspiration. It is a great benefit tostudents of American thought that these papers have nowbeen collected into one volume."-James Gouinlock, EmoryUniversity