Richard Rorty

Arguably the most influential of all contemporary English-speaking philosophers, Richard Rorty has transformed the way many inside and outside philosophy think about the discipline and the traditional ways of practising it. Drawing on a wide range of thinkers from Darwin and James to Quine, Wittgenstein, Heidegger and Derrida, Rorty has injected a bold anti-foundationalist vision into philosophical debate, into discussions in literary theory, communication studies, political theory and education, and, as public intellectual, into national debates about the responsibilities of America in the modern world. The essays in this volume offer a balanced exposition and critique of Rorty’s views on knowledge, language, truth, science, morality and politics. The editorial introduction presents a valuable overview of Rorty’s philosophical vision. Written by a distinguished team of philosophers, this volume will have an unusual appeal outside philosophy to students in the social sciences, literary studies, cultural studies and political theory.

• Given Rorty’s almost cult status this should prove to be one of the best-selling volumes in the series • Broad inter-disciplinary readership • As with other volumes in series this is systematic and accessible

1. Introduction: Richard Rorty and contemporary philosophy Charles Guignon and David Hiley; 2. Rorty’s critique of epistemology Gary Gutting; 3. Rorty on knowledge and truth Michael Williams; 4. From realism or anti-realism to science as solidarity Joseph Rouse; 5. Rorty’s democratic hermeneutics Georgia Warnke; 6. Rorty’s inspirational liberalism Richard J. Bernstein; 7. Don’t be cruel: reflections on Rortyan liberalism Jean Bethke Elshtain; 8. Rorty and philosophy Charles Taylor.