University of Galway

Course Module Information

Course Modules

Semester 2 | Credits: 5

This module examines some of the central themes at the heart of American pragmatism. We begin by addressing the historical and scientific background informing the emergence of the pragmatist movement in nineteenth-century America. Taking the pragmatist denial of absolute beliefs as our guiding theme, the course shall explore the pragmatist writings of William James in the nineteenth-century and Richard Rorty in the twentieth-century. In particular, we shall focus on James's rejection of philosophical oppositions and the implication of his pragmatism for science, religion and morality. Finally, we turn to the neo-pragmatism of Rorty's Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature paying particular attention to both his critique of the representational view of the mind and his recommendation of social pragmatism.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Outline the historical and scientific background informing the development of Pragmatism in nineteenth-century America
  2. Explain the philosophical context to the emergence of Pragmatism with emphasis on the Pragmatist’s response to the traditional philosophical quest for objectivity and the representational account of the mind
  3. Outline the implications of James’ pragmatism for science, religion and morality
  4. Explain Rorty’s response to the philosophical tradition and his therapeutic method
  5. Explain what Rorty means by epistemological behaviourism
  6. Explain how Rorty responds to the problem of relativism
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
Reading List
  1. "A Stroll with William James" by Barzun, J
    Publisher: Chicago University Press
  2. "Rorty and His Critics" by Brandom, Robert B (ed.)
    Publisher: Blackwell
  3. "William James, Public Philosopher" by Cotkin, George
    Publisher: University of Illinois Press
  4. "Richard Rorty," by Guignon et al. (eds.)
    Publisher: Cambridge University Press,
  5. "Reading Rorty" by Malachowski, Alan (ed.)
    Publisher: Blackwell
  6. "The Metaphysical Club" by Menand, Louis
    Publisher: Flamingo
  7. "From Pierce to Davidson" by Murphy, John P
    Publisher: Westview Press
  8. "Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature" by Rorty, Richard
    Publisher: Blackwell
  9. "The Cambridge Companion to William James" by Putnam, Ruth Anna
    Publisher: Cambridge University Press
  10. "William James: In the Maelstrom of American Modernism" by Richardson, Robert D
    Publisher: Mariner Books
  11. "Writings 1902-1910" by James, William
    Publisher: The Library of America Publishers
The above information outlines module PI246: "American Pragmatism" and is valid from 2023 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.