Philosophy Archives

A romantic oil painting featuring the pragmatist philosophers John Dewey and Richard Rorty sitting next to gentle streams multiplying away from them into the background.

Contrasting with hope in a fixed or eternal order, pragmatists John Dewey and Richard Rorty connect hope to continual growth and conversation.

Essays Philosophy

Dewey and Rorty: Sending Pragmatist Hopes in New Directions

November 3, 2022March 6, 2023 18 min read Nick Gall Hope, John Dewey, Meliorism, Pragmatism, Richard Rorty, William James

Contrasting with hope in a fixed or eternal order, pragmatists John Dewey and Richard Rorty connect hope to continual growth and conversation.

A romantic oil painting of three Victorian women overlooking majestic mountain peaks.

While pragmatists accept the tragic and boundless nature of a constantly changing and foundationless reality, William James offers hope in a naturalized theism.

Essays Philosophy

What Can Pragmatists Hope for in a Boundless World?

October 27, 2022March 2, 2023 20 min read Nick Gall Charles Sanders Peirce, Chauncey Wright, Hope, Meliorism, Pragmatism, William James

While pragmatists accept the tragic and boundless nature of a constantly changing and foundationless reality, William James offers hope in a naturalized theism.

A pebble beach with waves in the background, Black Rock Beach on Block Island where Megan Craig visited following the death of her long-time mentor and friend, the pragmatist philosopher Richard Bernstein.

A long-time friend and former student of the eminent pragmatist philosopher Richard Bernstein reflects on her mentor's commitment to pluralism and love of children.

Essays Philosophy

A Wishing Stone for Dick

August 9, 2022August 9, 2022 13 min read Megan Craig Children, Death, Loss, Pragmatism

A long-time friend and former student of the eminent pragmatist philosopher Richard Bernstein reflects on her mentor’s commitment to pluralism and love of children.

Painting by Edvard Munch with a young ill woman seated, looking out a window during spring, accompanied by a woman providing her comfort.

("Spring" by Edvard Munch, 1889)

Essays Philosophy

Should We Take Comfort in the Knowledge Others Have it Worse?

October 21, 2021December 23, 2022 21 min read Sam Woolfe Buddhism, Consolation, Schopenhauer, Stoicism, Suffering

While the phrase “It could be worse” can provide us comfort, it may lead to less effective and less ethical forms of consolation.

A lunar eclipse in space, as featured image in the essay "Look For Things That Don't Change" by Ben Parry. This essay touches on ontology, perception, and invariant structure.

(Jumpstory)

Ideas Philosophy

Look for Things That Don’t Change

July 19, 2021July 19, 2021 5 min read Ben Parry Ontology, Perception, Progress

By seeking out the things that don’t change—or invariant structure—we can invest in areas of life that are endlessly rewarding.

Richard Rorty Rortyan Liberalism Truth Pragmatism Cheryl Misak Philosophy

(Louise Boyle/Cornell University Library)

Essays Philosophy

Rortian Liberalism and the Problem of Truth

April 16, 2021August 10, 2022 16 min read Adrian Rutt Epistemology, Essential Reading, Liberalism, Politics, Pragmatism, Truth

In defending liberalism, the philosopher Richard Rorty argues that there is no difference—in practice—between aiming at justification and aiming at something more called truth.