Pragmatism in the Americas - (American Philosophy) by Gregory Fernando Pappas (Paperback)

About the Book

In the last ten years, investigators worldwide have focused on the connections between the philosophy of classical figures in American pragmatism (e.g., William James, Charles Peirce, and John Dewey) and the Hispanic world. Pragmatism in the Americas examines the intersection between these two traditions, advancing new and unexplored realms of Western philosophy and uncovering new relationships.The book will prove an invaluable source for philosophers and philosophy students, as well as for scholars from other disciplines (e.g., history, political science, sociology, diversity studies, and gender and race studies) to begin understanding the dynamic relationship in thinking between the two Americas. In addition to documenting the results of a new and thriving area of research, it can also function as a primer to direct and provoke further inquiry.Its essays, from North American, Spanish, and Latin American scholars, fill a void in the humanities and introduce a number of Hispanic pragmatists who have not been included in standard pragmatist texts.

Book Synopsis

In the last ten years, investigators worldwide have focused on the connections between the philosophy of classical figures in American pragmatism (e.g., William James, Charles Peirce, and John Dewey) and the Hispanic world. Pragmatism in the Americas examines the intersection between these two traditions, advancing new and unexplored realms of Western philosophy, and uncovering new relationships. It argues that, with respect to philosophical issues, there are fewer rifts and more affinity than is commonly thought between these two worlds.

The book will provide an invaluable source for philosophers and philosophy students, as well as for scholars from other disciplines (e.g., history, political science, sociology, diversity studies, and gender and race studies) to begin understanding the dynamic relationship in thinking between the two Americas. In additional to documenting the results of a new and thriving area of research, it can also function as a primer to direct and provoke further inquiry.

The volume is divided into three parts. First, the reception of the classical American Pragmatists within the Hispanic world is explored. Some of the essays argue for the inclusion of Hispanic figures in the history of pragmatism and therefore challenge the notion that pragmatism is a philosophy that is exclusively North American. Others put forth pragmatism as a philosophy that can contribute to dealing with the present social, ethical, or political problems experienced by Hispanics in and outside of the United States. These essays, from North American, Spanish, and Latin American scholars, fill a void in the humanities and introduce a number of Hispanic pragmatists, who are not included in standard pragmatists texts.

Altogether, the book questions gaps that never existed, building new bridges instead. It pioneers the way for a twenty-first-century dialogue between two great philosophical traditions.

Review Quotes

This book holds real promise for awakening North American
philosophers to the enormous breadth of Spanish-language Pragmatist philosophy. This is one of the best contributions to the advancement of American philosophy in a long time.

-----David O'Hara, Augustana College

This collection provides the definitive resource, long overdue, on
'American' philosophy in a full sense. And the essays are full of surprises,
detailing both the history of pragmatism's reception in the hispanic world, and the commonalities and differences between the Latin American and north
American approaches. They also explain the multiple reasons philosophy
itself today more than ever needs this tradition in order to resuscitate its
crisis-ridden methodology and its standing in the public domain.

-----Linda Alcoff, Hunter College, CUNY

Pragmatism in the Americas examines new and unexplored intersections between American philosophy and Spanish and Latin American thought, advancing a deeper understanding of the Hispanic World's philosophical contribution to and relationship with the evolution of Western thought.-----Bernardo Cantens, Moravian College

This is indispensable reading for students and scholars of pragmatism as well as those working in Hispanic philosophy. Highly recommended.-- "--Choice"

About the Author

Gregory Fernando Pappas is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Texas A&M University and the author of John Dewey's Ethics: Democracy as Experience.