Rorty and Beyond

This rich collection of essays not only demonstrates Rorty's lasting influence in virtually all fields of philosophy and more general cultural discussion but also makes a serious contribution to philosophical and post-philosophical inquiry both in dialogue with and moving 'beyond' Rorty, transforming Rortyan neopragmatism into a 'post-Rortyan' on-going conversation. Some of the best experts on Rorty and pragmatism explore Rortyan and post-Rortyan topics such as secularism, social hope, normativity, naturalism, ethnocentrism, (anti)representationalism, and truth, as well as philosophical engagements with literature and politics. This book considerably widens our horizon of pragmatism, no matter whether we admire Rorty or criticize him. -- Sami Pihlström, University of Helsinki
"This admirable collection of essays by eighteen transatlantic scholars presents Richard Rorty as at once both seminal and transitional, pragmatist and post-pragmatist, philosopher and anti-philosopher. Readers will find excellent analyses of his much debated concept of irony, his critique of religion, and even his own credentials as member of the group he termed 'we liberals.' The essays present fresh insights into the underlying tensions in Rorty’s work, as well as his key contributions to 20th century philosophy."--Larry A. Hickman, Souther Illinois University, Carbondale -- Larry A. Hickman, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
"One more book on Rorty? This one proves, among other things, the richness of his legacy. It situates Rorty historically, philosophically, politically, and culturally into the contexts of his own era, but also beyond. The conversation must go on—either approvingly or polemically. Since Richard Rorty was like 'The Freddie Mercury of Philosophy:' original, influential, provocative… A transitional figure to much more imaginative art of philosophizing. Read this book and you will get further incentives to read Rorty himself!"--Emil Visniovsky, Comenius University and Slovack Academy -- Emil Višnovský, Comenius University & Slovak Academy of Sciences