After Rorty: The Possibilities for Ethics and Religious Belief

(Paperback, NIPPOD)

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Trained by some of the most eminent philosophers of the twentieth century, Richard Rorty has come to be one of the strongest critics of the philosophical tradition. In this book, G. Elijah Dann suggests that Rorty helps to enhance and enliven both the philosophy of religion and the chances for moral progress. Dann goes on to discuss Rorty's metaethics and reviews. Dann argues that Rorty's well-known article, 'Religion as Conversation-stopper,' though valuable, needs adjustment. Contrary to Rorty's view that religious values should remain in the private realm, Dann maintains religious values can play an important role in the public square, albeit through a 'translation' into secular terms. The book concludes by exploring how the history of philosophical interests shaped theological ones and Dann looks at Rorty's more recent thoughts about religion, particularly in his discussion with the Italian philosopher Gianni Vattimo.

Reviews

mention- The Chronicle of Higher Education/ October 13, 2006
"Richard Rorty advocates a markedly different conception of philosophy. His position, predictably, has generated abundant criticism in the philosophical literature, with reactions ranging from thoughtful critique to thoughtless rebuff. Refreshingly, Dann's book approaches the context from an alternate angle. Rather than investigating the degree to which Rorty is correct, Dann concerns himself with extending Rorty's position to the ethical and religious spheres...Dann's thesis about the viability of theology conceived along edifying lines is quite reasonable. Also, his minor disagreements, particularly the notion of translation, are persuasive...the book is a thoughtful exploration of Rorty's metaethics and philosophy of religion. It is well researched in that it offers abundant quotations and footnotes to support its claims. It is best suited to philosophers who have an interest in contemporary theology, metaphilosophy, and Rorty." -Aaron Landry, Philosophy in Review
"Although the book does not focus explicitly on political theology, if its analysis is correct, it should be of interest to those engaged in reflection about the political aspects and impacts of religion and theology ... Dann exhibits a close and receptive (though not completely uncritical) familiarity with Rorty's corpus of writings, discerning developments and tensions within his thinking and incipient philosophy of religion, deftly tracking how his views have changed and nuanced over the years." - Political Theology -- Tobias Winright
"G. Elijah Dann's argument that Richard Rorty's metaphilosophy could be a resource for the transformation of theology places the reader squarely in the midst of contemporary intellectual developments. This is a fascinating study." James R. Horne, University of Waterloo * Blurb from reviewer *
"This book examines Rorty's metaphilosophy and his developing thought over the years on the possibilities for religion and political life...it should be of interest to those engaged in reflection about the political aspects and impacts of religion and theology...Dann exhibits and close and receptive familiarity with Rorty's corpus of writings, discerning developments and tensions within his thinking and incipient philosophy of religion, deftly tracking how his views have changed and nuanced over the years....Dann argues that as long as theologians and philosophers of religion keep in mind the limitations of philosophy, along with the limitations of God-talk, then there is no reason why they cannot continue to take God-talk seriously in the present post-Philosophical context....Dann shows that he is definitely an expert on things Rortyan...I do indeed recommend it, especially to those who undertake 'the analysis and criticism of political arrangements' from a theological perspective." - Political Theology -- Tobias Winright * Political Theology *

Author Bio

G. Elijah Dann is Visiting Research Fellow at The Center for Studies in Religion and Society, University of Victoria, Canada. His previous publications include Philosophy: A New Introduction (co-edited with Douglas Mann), Wadsworth, 2004, and numerous journal articles.