The Ends of Philosophy Pragmatism, Foundationalism and Postmodernism [Paperback]

This book engages the confrontation between the foundationalist aims of traditional philosophy, the postmodern critique, and the pragmatic attempt to maintain a form of non-foundational inquiry. Through readings of the work of Peirde, Nietzsche, Wittgenstein, Buchler, Derrida, Rorty, and others, the author examines the nature and scope of philosophically relevant knowledge.

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• Ambitious and important work, by a respected philosopher.
  
• Presents a clear and thoughtful analysis of key philosophical traditions.
  
• Examines the nature and scope of philosophically relevant knowledge.

Preface.

Abbreviations.

Introduction.

1. The Question of Philosophy.

2. Realism and Philosophical Knowledge.

3. Peirce's (Anti) Realism.

4. Nonfoundational Realism.

5. Nietzsche's Naturalistic Epistemology.

6. Wittgenstein's Social Relativism.

7. Buchler's Objective Relativism.

8. Derrida's Semiotic Relativism.

9. Rorty's Antiphilosophical Pragmatism.

10. The Ends of Philosophy.

Conclusion.

Notes.

Bibliography.

Index.

The Ends of Philosophy has an ambitious project, an engaging philosophical seriousness, wonderful metaphilosophical remarks, and terrific historical chapters. The chapter on Peirce's philosophy is, perhaps, the very best discussion I have seen. This is not to say I agreed with all of it – I did not agree with the criticism of me! – but I was impressed by all of it, including the unexpectedly poignant and modest conclusion.