Pragmatism, Nation, and Race: Community in the Age of Empire (American Philosophy) [Paperback]

Chad Kautzer (Editor), Eduardo Mendieta (Editor)

Book Description

Series: American Philosophy | Publication Date: June 9, 2009

Pragmatism has been called "the chief glory of our country's intellectual tradition" by its supporters and "a dog's dinner" by its detractors. While acknowledging pragmatism's direct ties to American imperialism and expansionism, Chad Kautzer, Eduardo Mendieta, and the contributors to this volume consider the role pragmatism plays, for better or worse, in current discussions of nationalism, war, race, and community. What can pragmatism contribute to understandings of a diverse nation? How can we reconcile pragmatism's history with recent changes in the country's racial and ethnic makeup? How does pragmatism help to explain American values and institutions and fit them into new national and multinational settings? The answers to these questions reveal pragmatism's role in helping to nourish the fundamental ideas, politics, and culture of contemporary America.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This collection on American philosophy, American identity, and race will undoubtedly make a substantive contribution to the literature and it will be well received by scholars and teachers of many disciplines." —José Medina, Vanderbilt University

(José Medina, Vanderbilt University 2010)

"Pragmatism, Nation, and Race is an anthology that is as rare as it is important. Its essays cohere so seamlessly that the work reads more like a transcript of a single conversation than fourteen voices speaking to related themes.... This work offers such clear illuminations of fundamental concepts and current problems that it is an essential text for any scholar of pragmatism, critical race theory, post-colonialism, or American politics.... No matter your views on pragmatism, foreign policy, or America's status as an empire, a democracy, or both, parts of this work will irk you, others will uplift you, but every part will reward you." —Teachers College Record, February 16, 2010

(Teachers College Record )

About the Author

Chad Kautzer is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Colorado Denver.

Eduardo Mendieta is Professor of Philosophy at Stony Brook University. He is editor of Latin American Philosophy (IUP, 2003).

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (June 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253220785
• ISBN-13: 978-0253220783
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #580,227 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Timely and Accessible Work, June 10, 2009

By 

Terry Macmullan (Spokane, WA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pragmatism, Nation, and Race: Community in the Age of Empire (American Philosophy) (Paperback)

Kautzer and Mendieta have compiled an outstanding collection of essays in this scholarly yet readable anthology that continues the expansion of pragmatist inquiry into vital political and social problems. Each essay makes a great contribution to the literature, and the works by Outlaw, Sullivan, Willet and Mendieta are some of their best (which is saying alot). This work is a "must read" for anyone interested in pragmatism, race theory or the role of the US in global politics.