Pragmatism and the Problem of Race - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0253216478 ISBN 13: 9780253216472

Publisher: Indiana University Press, 2004

Synopsis

How should pragmatists respond to and contribute to the resolution of one of America's greatest and most enduring problems? Given that the most important thinkers of the pragmatist movement-Charles S. Peirce, William James, John Dewey, and George Herbert Mead-said little about the problem of race, how does their distinctly American way of thinking confront the hardship and brutality that characterizes the experience of many African Americans in this country? In 12 thoughtful and provocative essays, contemporary American pragmatists connect ideas with action and theory with practice to come to terms with this seemingly intractable problem. Exploring themes such as racism and social change, the value of the concept of race, the role of education in ameliorating racism, and the place of democracy in dealing with the tragedy of race, the voices gathered in this volume consider how pragmatism can focus new attention on the problem of race.

Contributors are Michael Eldridge, Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., Judith M. Green, D. Micah Hester, Donald F. Koch, Bill E. Lawson, David E. McClean, Gregory F. Pappas, Scott L. Pratt, Alfred E. Prettyman, John R. Shook, Paul C. Taylor, and Cornel West.

About this title

Synopsis:

How should pragmatists respond to and contribute to the resolution of one of America's greatest and most enduring problems? Given that the most important thinkers of the pragmatist movement - Charles S. Peirce, William James, John Dewey, and George Herbert Mead - had little to say about the problem of race, how does their distinctly American way of thinking deal with the brutality and hardship endured by African-Americans? In 12 thoughtful and provocative essays, contemporary American pragmatists connect ideas with action and theory with practice to come to terms with this intractable problem. Themes such as race and social change, segregation and education, the role of the individual and community in a racialized society, and place of democracy in the tragedy of race inform discussions on how to eliminate racial prejudice. The voices gathered in this volume explore the origins of the problem of race and develop concrete and practical means for seeing its end.

About the Author:

Bill E. Lawson is Professor of Philosophy at Michigan State University. He is co-author (with Howard McGary) of Between Slavery and Freedom (IUP, 1993). Donald F. Koch is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Michigan State University. He has edited three volumes of Dewey's lectures.

About this edition

• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0253216478
• ISBN 13: 9780253216472
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256
• Editor: Koch Donald F., Lawson Bill E.