American Philosophies
From Wounded Knee to the Present: 2nd Edition
Professor Erin McKenna author Professor Scott L Pratt author
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Publishing:27th Nov '25
£80.00
This title is due to be published on 27th November, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
An introduction to the history and key ideas throughout the American philosophical tradition including voices from marginalised peoples and contemporary, emerging ideas.
American Philosophies offers the first historically framed introduction to the tradition of American philosophy and its contemporary engagement with the world.
Born out of the social and political turmoil of the Civil War, American philosophy was a means of dealing with conflict and change. In the turbulence of the 21st century, this remains as relevant as ever. Placing the work of present-day American philosophers in the context of a history of resistance, through a philosophical tradition marked by a commitment to pluralism, fallibilism and liberation, this book tells the story of philosophies shaped by major events and illustrates the ways in which philosophy is relevant to lived experience.
The 2nd edition of this book presents a survey of the historical development of American philosophy, as well as coverage of key contemporary issues in America including race theory, feminism, gender, indigenous peoples, philosophies of disability and environmentalism. In particular, it contains new coverage of Covid, the election of Donald Trump, American religious thought, and immigration history. It also takes seriously the dramatic political and social machinations of the past seven years and engages with emerging voices and traditions. This is a substantial and provocative introduction to the work of the major American thinkers and their contemporary interlocuters.
Encyclopaedic in scope, McKenna and Pratt offer a panoramic view of American Philosophies. Highly recommended as a first read and constant companion in a field that is large and contains multitudes. * Cythia Willett, Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Philosophy at Emory University *
A vital resource for anyone seeking to understand the intellectual traditions that have shaped—and contested—the meaning of American life. Erin McKenna and Scott L. Pratt have given us a volume that expands the boundaries of philosophy, bringing together voices from pragmatism, Indigenous thought, African American political reflection, feminist theory, and beyond. It resists the insularity of the standard canon and insists on the public, plural, and political dimensions of philosophy in the United States. With clarity and purpose, the volume invites readers to see philosophy not simply as abstract speculation but as a tool for navigating moral complexity, structural injustice, and democratic possibility. For scholars, students, and public thinkers, American Philosophies offers an indispensable guide to the ideas that continue to animate and unsettle the American experiment. It is a reader committed to the unfinished work of critical reflection and collective renewal. * Melvin Rogers, Edna and Richard Salomon Distinguished Professor of Political Science, Associate Director of the Center for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, Brown University *
McKenna and Pratt’s Second Edition of American Philosophies is a lucid and well-crafted exploration of the rich and diverse tradition of American thought, with a particular focus on philosophies of resistance. The book compellingly shows how pluralism, fallibilism, and the pragmatist tradition have historically challenged systems of domination. Especially timely today, it helps readers—both in the United States and abroad—understand how philosophy can resist dogma, shape collective futures, and remain rooted in lived experience. An essential resource for scholars, students, and readers interested in the intersections of philosophy, politics, and culture. * Andrea Parravicini, Department of Philosophy, Università degli Studi di Milano *
ISBN: 9781350342750
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
440 pages
2nd edition