100 Years of Pragmatism

John J. Stuhr is Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and American Studies and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Emory University. He is author of John Dewey; Genealogical Pragmatism: Philosophy, Experience, and Community; and Pragmatism, Postmodernism, and the Future of Philosophy. He is co-editor of The Journal of Speculative Philosophy.

• ContentsList of AbbreviationsIntroduction: 100 Years of Pragmatism / John J. Stuhr1. James's Pragmatism and American Culture, 1907–2007 / James T. Kloppenberg2. The Enemies of Pragmatism / Mark Bauerlein3. The Earth Must Resume Its Rights: A Jamesian Genealogy of Immaturity / Ross Posnock4. Pragmatism and Death: Method vs. Metaphor, Tragedy vs. the Will to Believe / William J. Gavin5. William James's Pragmatism: A Distinctly Mixed Bag / Bruce Wilshire6. The Deconstruction of Traditional Philosophy in William James's Pragmatism / Richard M. Gale7. James on Truth and Solidarity: The Epistemology of Diversity and the Politics of Specificity / José M. Medina8. Pragmatism, Nihilism, and Democracy: What Is Called Thinking at the End of Modernity? / James Livingston9. Active Tension / Linda Simon10. Reflections on the Future of Pragmatism / Ruth Anna Putnam11. Looking toward Last Things: James's Pragmatism beyond Its First Century / John J. StuhrList of ContributorsIndex

"This collection of essays uses the recent centenary of William James's Pragmatism (1907) as the occasion for a series of reflections on the continued relevance of James's elaboration of pragmatism. The essays range from considerations of the historical and cultural significance of James's work in the context of American culture in the 100 years since its publication (James T. Kloppenberg, 'James's Pragmatism and American Culture, 1907-2007' and Mark Bauerlein, 'The Enemies of Pragmatism') to assessments of James's philosophical significance in the context of the broader history of philosophy (Richard M. Gale's 'The Deconstruction of Traditional Philosophy in William James's Pragmatism' and Ross Posnock's 'The Earth Must Resume Its Rights: A Jamesian Genealogy of Immaturity') to essays considering more systematic concerns in epistemology, political philosophy, and ethics. The final two essays consider possible futures for James's version of pragmatism. Overall, this volume consists of well-written essays that ought to prompt a thoughtful reconsideration of William James's thought and its place in American culture. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty/researchers. — Choice"—C. R. McCall, Elmira College, October 2010"Overall, this volume consists of well-written essays that ought to prompt a thoughtful reconsideration of William James's thought and its place in American culture. . . . Recommended.October 2010, Vol. 48, No. 2"—Choice"A well-balanced, interdisciplinary critical assessment of the ways that James understood pragmatism and the ways that understanding is still valid, helpful, and in need of revision and amplification for today's culture and contemporary needs."—Richard Shusterman, Florida Atlantic University