Description
The Pragmatic Turn
Book Summary
In "The Pragmatic Turn," Richard J. Bernstein offers a historical and systematic reconstruction of pragmatism, one of the most influential philosophical movements of recent centuries. The author traces its evolution from the classical founders, such as Charles S. Peirce, William James, and John Dewey, to its most prominent contemporary representatives, including Hilary Putnam, Richard Rorty, and Robert Brandom. Through this journey, the work demonstrates that pragmatism is not merely a chapter in the history of philosophy, but a living and central perspective in current debates on language, truth, objectivity, and democracy.
What is it about?
The book analyzes the development of pragmatism in depth, connecting its 19th-century roots with its relevance in 21st-century philosophy. Bernstein examines the contributions of the foundational thinkers and shows how their ideas have been taken up and transformed by figures such as Wilfrid Sellars, Hilary Putnam, Richard Rorty, John McDowell, and Robert Brandom. Throughout its pages, central themes are explored, such as the nature of language, the pursuit of truth, the meaning of objectivity, and the foundations of democracy. The work places pragmatism in dialogue with other contemporary philosophical currents, such as analytic philosophy, phenomenology, hermeneutics, critical theory, and post-structuralism, demonstrating its capacity to intervene in the most pressing philosophical problems of our time.
Main themes
- Historical reconstruction of classical pragmatism (Peirce, James, Dewey).
- Analysis of contemporary neo-pragmatist philosophy (Sellars, Putnam, Rorty, McDowell, Brandom).
- Relationship between pragmatism, language, and truth.
- Debate on objectivity and democracy from a pragmatist perspective.
- Dialogue between pragmatism and analytic philosophy, phenomenology, and critical theory.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at students and professionals of philosophy interested in contemporary thought, as well as readers with a background in the humanities who wish to understand the evolution and currency of pragmatism. It will also be of great use to researchers looking for a reference work that connects classical figures with current philosophical debates on language, truth, and political action.
What this book contributes
- A complete and updated vision of pragmatism, from its origins to its most recent developments.
- A rigorous analysis of the connections between classical pragmatism and contemporary neo-pragmatism.
- A perspective that positions pragmatism as an active interlocutor in the philosophical debates of the 21st century.
- Conceptual tools to address fundamental philosophical problems such as truth, objectivity, and democracy.
Technical specifications
- Author: Bernstein, Richard J.
- Publisher: Anthropos Editorial
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: Philosophy of language, semantics and pragmatics, literary essays, humanities, philosophy, religion and beliefs
- Collection: Philosophy
- Binding: Paperback
- Edition date: January 2014
- Number of pages: 320
- Weight: 376 g
Editorial review
"The Pragmatic Turn" is an indispensable reference work for those seeking a deep and updated understanding of pragmatism. Richard J. Bernstein manages to build a solid bridge between the founders of the tradition and their contemporary heirs, offering an analysis that is both historical and systematic. The clarity of exposition and the breadth of vision with which he addresses debates on language, truth, and democracy make this book a valuable tool for both the specialist and the advanced student wishing to delve into one of the most dynamic and relevant philosophical currents of our time.