The American Evasion Of Philosophy: A Genealogy Of Pragmatism (the Wisconsin Project On American Writers)

Taking Emerson as his starting point, Cornel West’s basic task in this ambitious enterprise is to chart the emergence, development, decline, and recent resurgence of American pragmatism. John Dewey is the central figure in West’s pantheon of pragmatists, but he treats as well such varied mid-century representatives of the tradition as Sidney Hook, C. Wright Mills, W. E. B. Du Bois, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Lionel Trilling. West’s "genealogy" is, ultimately, a very personal work, for it is imbued throughout with the author’s conviction that a thorough reexamination of American pragmatism may help inspire and instruct contemporary efforts to remake and reform American society and culture. "West . . . may well be the pre-eminent African American intellectual of our generation."—The Nation "__The American Evasion of Philosophy__ is a highly intelligent and provocative book. Cornel West gives us illuminating readings of the political thought of Emerson and James; provides a penetrating critical assessment of Dewey, his central figure; and offers a brilliant interpretation—appreciative yet far from uncritical—of the contemporary philosopher and neo-pragmatist Richard Rorty. . . . What shines through, throughout the work, is West's firm commitment to a radical vision of a philosophic discourse as inextricably linked to cultural criticism and political engagement."—Paul S. Boyer, professor emeritus of history, University of Wisconsin–Madison. Wisconsin Project on American Writers Frank Lentricchia, General Editor Taking Emerson As His Starting Point, Cornel West's Basic Task In This Ambitious Enterprise Is To Chart The Emergence, Development, Decline, And Recent Resurgence Of American Pragmatism. John Dewey Is The Central Figure In West's Pantheon Of Pragmatists, But He Treats As Well Such Varied Mid-century Representatives Of The Tradition As Sidney Hook, C. Wright Mills, W.e.b. Du Bois, Reinhold Niebuhr, And Lionel Trilling. West's Genealogy Is, Ultimately, A Very Personal Work, For It Is Imbued Throughout With The Author's Conviction That A Thorough Reexamination Of American Pragmatism May Help Inspire And Instruct Contemporary Efforts To Remake And Reform American Society And Culture.--publisher Description. 1. The Emersonian Prehistory Of American Pragmatism. Emerson On Power (and Tradition) ; Emerson On Provocation (and The Market) ; Emerson On Personality (and Race) ; Emerson As Organic Intellectual -- 2. The Historic Emergence Of American Pragmatism. Peirce On Scientific Method, Community, And Christian Love ; James On Individuality, Reconciliation, And Heroic Energies -- 3. The Coming-of-age Of American Pragmatism: John Dewey. Dewey On Historical Consciousness, Critical Intelligence, And Creative Democracy -- 4. The Dilemma Of The Mid-century Pragmatic Intellectual. Sidney Hook: The Deweyan Political Intellectual ; C. Wright Mills: The Neo-deweyan Radical Social Critic ; W.e.b. Du Bois: The Jamesian Organic Intellectual ; Reinhold Niebuhr: The Jamesian Cultural Critic ; Lionel Trilling: The Pragmatist As Arnoldian Literary Critic ; The Decline And Resurgence Of American Pragmatism: W.v. Quine And Richard Rorty -- 5. Prophetic Pragmatism: Cultural Criticism And Political Engagement. Roberto Unger And Third-wave Left Romanticism ; The Challenge Of Michel Foucault ; Tragedy, Tradition, And Political Praxis ; Prophetic Pragmatism And Postmodernity. Cornel West. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 243-271) And Index. Contents 10 Acknowledgments 12 Introduction 16 1 The Emersonian Prehistory of American Pragmatism 22 Emerson on Power (and Tradition) 24 Emerson on Provocation (and the Market) 38 Emerson on Personality (and Race) 41 Emerson on Organic Intellectual 48 2 The Historic Emergence of American Pragmatism 55 Peirce on Scientific Method, Community, and Christian Love 56 James on Individuality, Reconciliation, and Heroic Energies 67 3 The Coming-of-Age of American Pragmatism: John Dewey 82 Dewey on Historical Consciousness, Critical Intelligence, and creative Democracy 84 4 The Dilemma of the Mid-Century Pragmatic Intellectual 125 Sidney Hook: The Deweyen Political Intellecrual 127 C. Wright Mills: The Neo-Deweyan Radical Social Critic 137 W.E.B. Du Bois: The Jamesian Cultural Critic 151 Reinhold Niebuhr: The Jamesian Cultural Critic 163 Lionel Trilling: The Pragmatist as Arnoldian Literary Critic 177 5 the Decline and Resurgence of American Pragmatism: W.V. Quine and Richard Rorty 195 6. Prophetic Pragmatism: Cultural Criticism and Political Engagement 224 Roverto Unger and Third-Wave Left Romanticism 227 The Challenge of Michel Foucault 236 Tragedy, Tradition, and Political Praxis 239 Prophetic Pragmatism and Postmodernity 248 Notes 256 Index 286