Table of Contents

Foreword: Richard Rorty: A Philosophical Guide to Talking About Religion, by Jeffrey W. Robbins Introduction, by Gianni Vattimo An Ethics for Today, by Richard Rorty Conclusion: Philosophy, Religion, and Religious Belief After Rorty, by G. Elijah Dann

Promotional Information

Richard Rorty's argument rather clearly and succinctly brings the claims of pragmatism to issues at the heart of Catholic politics-a clash between relativism and fundamentalism that is in many ways emblematic of the larger struggles between religious and secular traditions across the globe. -- Robert T. Valgenti, Lebanon Valley College Contrary to Richard Rorty's previous writings on religion, this book engages in a critical debate with the dogmatic and metaphysical affirmations of Pope Benedict XVI on human nature, relativism, and homosexuality. Commenting on the progressive philosophies pf John Stuart Mill, George Santayana, Martin Heidegger, John Dewey, Jurgen Habermas, and Peter Singer, Rorty shows how the pope belongs to those fundamentalist intellectuals who still believe that truth is greater than any other value, including democracy. -- Santiago Zabala, ICREA Research Professor at the University of Barcelona, author of The Remains of Being

About the Author

Richard Rorty (1931-2007) was professor of comparative literature and philosophy at Stanford University. His Columbia University Press books are The Future of Religion (with Gianni Vattimo) and What's the Use of Truth? Gianni Vattimo is emeritus professor of philosophy at the University of Turin and a member of the European Parliament. His books include The Responsibility of the Philosopher; Christianity, Truth, and Weakening Faith: A Dialogue (with Rene Girard); Nihilism and Emancipation: Ethics, Politics, and Law; and After Christianity.

Reviews

This striking presentation of Rorty's influential thoughts will be of value to those grounded in the study of philosophy, religion, and their interaction. Library Journal ...concise but none the less immensely thoughtful... -- Roman Madzia Pragmatism Today This book makes for fascinating reading. It is a rare philosophy book that is a page-turner that can be read in one or two sittings. -- Daniel Dombrowski Sophia