Rorty, Religion, and Metaphysics

(Hardback)

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Believing that humanity would be better off if it simply dropped its traditional religious and metaphysical beliefs, Richard Rorty proposes an alternative approach, drawn from the American pragmatist tradition, where things get their significance against a background of broad human interests, and knowledge is regarded as part of the active pursuit of a better world. Rorty, Religion, and Metaphysics argues that while Rortys case is clearly and robustly made, it is fundamentally challenged by the phenomenon of human recognition, the relationship that arises between people when they talk to one another. While such recognition seems central to human life, John F. Owens demonstrates that in the end, it cannot be accommodated within Rortys proposals, given that recognition precisely attributes to others a reality that exceeds the significance they acquire in relation to human interests. It follows that there is more to human interaction than can be explained by Rortys pragmatism. Rorty pursues the clash between pragmatism and its traditional religious and metaphysical opposition with great flair, trying to persuade readers simply to walk away from the debate. Owenss analysis notes the striking irony whereby, against his own intentions, Rorty powerfully highlights the continuing interest and significance of the debate.

Reviews

One might think there is little to add to our understanding of Richard Rorty's sharply critical attitude to both metaphysics and religion. John Owens compellingly shows in Rorty, Religion, and Metaphysics that this is not the case. Engaging with Rorty's core works as well as some less well-known writings, he examines the key Rortyan view that metaphysics remains committed to the religious idea of human answerability to something non-human but moves far beyond the standard opposition between metaphysics and pragmatism. This rich and original book considers, among other things, what kind of religious attitudes might be possible within a pragmatist framework and plausibly argues that Rortyan pragmatism needs to deal with the concept of recognition. -- Sami Pihlstrm, University of Helsinki
In Rorty, Religion, and Metaphysics, John Owens offers a superb engagement with Richard Rortys thought that patiently considers the challenges that Rorty offers to religion, ethics, and metaphysics. Far from drawing any easy conclusions, Owens invites readers to interrogate their own assumptions. This book is rigorous, exceptionally well written, and genuinely a pleasure to read. For those interested in not only figuring out what Rorty claims, but what should be claimed about religion after Rorty, this book sets a new standard. -- J. Aaron Simmons, Furman University

Author Bio

John Owens is lecturer in philosophy at Good Shepherd College, Auckland.