Shedding Light on the “Eclipse” Narrative: Some Notes on Pragmatism in the Twentieth Century

I Begin By Thanking David Hildebrand, Daniel Brunson, and the program committee for magnificent job they have done under very difficult circumstances imposed by pandemic. I'd also like to thank their generous invitation present this 2021 Founders Lecture.Since is a Lecture, it seems appropriate recall that one of society's founders, Ralph Sleeper, said on more than occasion he would love séance with Frank Ramsey about what he, Ramsey, Wittgenstein pragmatism.Now, thanks an extraordinarily well-researched intellectual biography Sleeper's longed-for will not be necessary. Cheryl Misak's book Ramsey: A Sheer Excess Powers, published in 2020, helps clarify Ramsey's relationship establish his role foundation many today call “analytical pragmatism.” It close study seminal contributions mathematics, economics, probability theory. All was accomplished before untimely death, just short twenty-seventh birthday.Despite brilliant formal systems, however, harbored no illusions legislative applicability everyday life. Although helped rational choice theory example (and much mentor John Maynard Keynes but unlike some theorists who followed), understood conditions such as emotions, cultural factors, income inequities are important considerations when comes formulating economic policy. Like Dewey, critical single factor ethical theories. am confident become standard reference source life work. great companion piece Zachary D. Carter's The Price Peace: Money, Democracy, Life Keynes. highly relevant current thinking pandemic post-pandemic policies.Given scholarly excellence demonstrated her book, expect may find brief essay, 2019 journal Aeon co-author Robert Talisse, somewhat baffling. In she rejects terms “eclipse” narrative, which attributes Richard Rorty. According pragmatism dominated American philosophy “throughout Dewey's heyday, from early 1900s until ’40s.” Then, post-World War II professional philosophers America “began fixating technical methodological issues associated ‘analytic’ philosophy.” This due part influence immigrant European positivists during 1930s 1940s dismissed rigor swiftly gained “strongholds nearly all elite Ph.D. granting universities US.” Pragmatism, then, according went into—well, eclipse: “was driven underground, where remaining loyalists built networks devoted keeping classical idiom alive.” So gist eclipse narrative Misak characterizes (Misak “Pragmatism Endures”).Pushing back own “anti-eclipse” argues far having been eclipsed, “pragmatism has constant dominant force 100 years” Endures”). She faults those buy into among whom whose mission (she suggests) recover or re-introduce ideas mainstream philosophy. thinks these misguided people introduced “principled insularity” “tragic prospects pragmatism” (“Pragmatism Endures”) because fact never left scene. “resurrection story,” argues, “tinged resentment.” “The steady production volumes establishing ‘continuing relevance,’ ‘discovering’ recapturing ‘lessons’” led “talk mainly themselves” net effect, view, “[a] reliable strategy marginalising pragmatists could hardly imagined” Endures”).I suppose first thing note view outlier. focuses Rorty's support various aspects advanced Dewey biographers Thomas C. Dalton, Alan Ryan, B. Westbrook. There other accounts career period well, including Bryan G. Norton, McCumber, James Campbell, include narrative. something say moment, assessment another Thelma Z. Lavine.In my anti-eclipse rests several questionable claims. ones seem most germane general thesis, (1) logical empiricism featured “remarkable similarities” included rejection correspondence truth; (2) truth empiricism, true statements were verifiable successful, pragmatism”; (3) “each tradition evolved light other” Endures”).Regarding claim found fertile ground America, held common together, fair mid-twentieth-century, persuasions did communicate freely tended do since time. clear there positivists, empiricists them preferred called, sought pragmatists, Dewey. indicated Neurath's now famous contribute International Encyclopedia Unified Science, well Reichenbach's contribution Library Living Philosophers volume Dewey.But makes statement empiricists, might fruitful ask strand positivism authors mind, at point person's career.A. J. Ayer best known empiricists. His Language, Truth, Logic through twelve editions, 1936 1971, account, “eventually became text young next half century” (Norton 536). professor worked teaching assistant year graduate school 1965 had strain mind when, horror, informed largely freshman class “all can reduced either physical sciences lexicography.”But belief similar ideas, Ryan provides crisp inventory differences: (i) Unlike Ayer, accepted neither nor atomic facts. [Ayer avoids term “correspondence, uses “conforms” (Ayer 99).] (ii) thought “we verify hypothesis time, entire approach world.” (iii) accept idea “physical [constitute] touchstone respectability.” For science sophisticated sense.” (iv) religion co-exist “on real friendship” (Ryan 129).We minor quibbles Ryan's terminology, conclusion unassailable: “Ayer's pure representative positivist dismissal everything compatible simple account ‘the scientific world view.’ whole protest against type simplicity” 130). add that, traditional analytic/synthetic distinction 78) judgments “have objective validity all”(Ayer 108).Perhaps mentioning émigrés. But you pragmatism.In Dalton's Charles Morris, Sidney Hook, Ernest Nagel welcome two projects lot common. Morris hoped adopt meaning (Dalton 261). As Dalton put it, “failed foresee positivist's agenda reconstruction actually involved purified rather unified science–one cleansed any residue naturalism references phenomenal experience” 261).As story continues, respected Nagel's ability advice, especially writing logic. Nevertheless, letter Arthur Bentley, wrote regretted “should taken positivism” 261; Correspondence [08613] F. Bentley [1939.03.05]).In exchange Nagel, suggested law excluded middle applied only logic, existential affairs. responded surely door open closed: tertium quid. reply closing opening.1If allow personal interjection conversation, little greenhouse commonly called “Dutch door.” top opened warm days, bottom remains closed keep out animals. matter sense, leave decide whether occasions closed. was, course, sophisticated: interpretation systems and, significantly, importance processes static time-slices.Then Hans Reichenbach. Philosophers, appeared eager court support. He members same philosophical group, standing basis,” it. suggestion “alterations” position therefore merely strengthen bond. remarks project quite critical: “[W]e think nonrealistic concepts tenable” (Reichenbach 164).Reichenbach troubled reluctance objects real. criticized treatment tertiary qualities primary experience, realism himself espoused.In response, politely rejected invitation. see member club. viewed Reichenbach holding “to particularistic empiricism” fails take biological-cultural experiencing understands “general ways behavior [as] unescapable datum” (Dewey qtd. Schilpp Hahn 535, 536; LW 14:20–21). short, whereas empiricist, radical empiricist.Robert Westbrook highlights telling details exchange. At point, “suggested . motive beyond insistence reality qualitative experience stood way rapprochement between critics” (Westbrook 499). Reichenbach, “[i]f pragmatist considers secondary real, does so wants esthetics ethics comparable physics” (178). Westbrook, provided “astute insight principal reason why [Dewey] opposed positivists” 499).I'm going italicize Westbrook's sentences, goes heart narrative's claim.As Carnap, Norton describes work involving “reductionist, virtuosic language occur [a] mode” (541). end Carnap's career, 1950s Wittgenstein, add), finally central instrumentalism functionalism respect 551). An element “conversion” principle “tolerance” allowed “for new conventions speaking” 568). Here Norton: “So warrior, eventually embraced pragmatism, treating problems ‘pragmatic’ choosing languages social purposes” (553). even end, admits, Carnap still couldn't make turn. example, quested certainty; gave up distinction; notion “necessary truth.” And fact/value dichotomy 557).To say, does, truth, appears assert solely sentences (or statements, propositions, depending positivist). earlier case. standpoint central, key, obvious objection reconstructive action we humans able manage our lives rich facilities constraints. Over decades, argued motivates pragmatic technology. Truth farming sentences. industry visual plastic arts education certainly sentences.Jim Garrison reminded me remarkably passage explains how incorporates, propositional positivists. “Sometimes use word ‘truth’ confined designating property propositions; if extend its significance designate character reference, truth: change directed achieve intended consummation” (LW 1:128). thin understanding failed capture relevance living.For putative “similarities” pleased quote Lavine. is, introduction 16 Later Works views collaborator shared contrast empiricists.There third strictly “anti-eclipse,” despite focus time decades prior hold promise deep history pragmatism. “professionalism” sets stage fourth “political” discuss bit later.The unfolds Campbell. least pre-1907 form amenable professionalization Pragmatism do, famously men women) philosophers. educate children, treat neighbors, organize ourselves socially politically.Campbell, read him, agree faulty, different reasons forward. Campbell's reached kind maturity 1907, attempt sort conflicting meanings (Campbell, “One Hundred Years” 2). Far being hundred years, Campbell “there Pragmatic dominance academic philosophy” (“One 3).What broad vein outside academy (expressed Americans Benjamin Franklin, example) concern place nature experimenters; criterion action, toward ameliorated future; emphasis community well-being 3).Campbell takes care restate miss within ranks America's philosophers” 3). twentieth century but, after demise idealism, versions realism. concerned developing based mathematics physics. Moreover, focused narrowly “problem knowledge” concern. rise continuing success realism, continues dependent professionalism. “For Pragmatism,” writes, “with fundamental inclination practical possibilities creative intelligence, remained both elusive secondary” (Thoughtful Profession 110).According “[r]ealism, dedicated finding satisfied recording analyzing truths uncovered means aspired approximate science” 280). consequence began turn fields drawn energy, anthropology, history, sociology. resulting primacy research over public service contributed “administrative commodification output” 280) (that quantified chairs deans). What got lost considered philosophy's task: address living, “whether metaphysical tormented James, challenged Peirce, invigorated Dewey” 5).During student working late medieval scholastic often asked peers analytic persuasion doing know addressed question 1926, “philosophy, politics, literature, arts, itself phenomenon human culture. Its connection civilization, intrinsic” 3:3 Thoughtful 287). While studying Latin, aware learning No less understand philosophy.John McCumber compelling accepting yet addition “professionalization” discussed.McCumber's incorporates establishes broader context mid-twentieth century. Discussing relation positivism, strongly ever page, notes, article “Truth Confirmation” treated “the different” (McCumber, Time Ditch 45).McCumber quotes Bruce Wilshire, limited assigned statements. “In [pragmatic] tradition's light,” Wilshire wrote, “this artificial thoughtless. [I]t navigate us world. Silences certain kinds, images, icons, bodies, scenes, art-works, music, perhaps mystical experiences amplify, clarify, reveal world, ways” (qtd. 44).McCumber's political McCarthy era abandoned consideration Was coincidental turned inward methodologically reductionistic precisely Red hunters? response purges faculties, actual threatened, retreat defensive almost entirely confirmation). If science, then bulwark Hofstadter termed Great Inquisition 1950s” 23). once inquisitorial ball rolling, homosexuals, ethnic minorities, “wrong” religious affiliations, targets grievances get caught net.About this, profession basically kept head down concentrated falsity analyzed timeless context. irony, sees chose ahistorical path, problem epistemological seventeenth seventeenth-century continue result, Modern failure resolve Medieval synthesis, noted Phillip Deen Unmodern Philosophy (Dewey, xv; [09281] Corinne Chisholm Frost [1931.01.01]).In McCumber's beginning Cold War, four dispositives secular life: naturalism; idealism; materialism; (4) eventual winner, stratified Stratified posited grounding rested discoverable laws assumed “hierarchy sciences, together shadow, nature” Scare 66). simply naturalism. correct technology, organization artifact, way, set tools organizing particular sort.For feature denial moral values require supernatural foundation. McCarthyism, atheism frequently identified Communism, vulnerable right-wing clergy hunters, busily sticking noses business appointments, tenure. case California, required loyalty oaths academics. (There University Texas impacted disciple E. Ayres, story.)The problem. Their amounted promissory note: physics progress announced publicly. ignore meaningless (a apparently missed clergy), game over. perceived innocuous 56–57).It interesting ironies situation. Outside messy. When Europe, émigré personally matters, left. heads down. Recalling notable exception, Hilary Putnam told height era, disgusted decided join Communist Party. up, said, phone book.This good Jim commenting draft paper calling attention recent essay topic Michael Festl, productive debate.Festl complex fifth calls “monistic” “demolition” narrative.Festl contentions methods though emphases diverged. monistic “dualistic” attempts drive wedge side, other. “C. I. Lewis embodied worth fighting for, starts leads Lewis, Wilfrid Sellars” (Festl 431). Festl problematic, “Lewis's lends helping hand” 442).As Quine Sellars, agrees attacking weapons. oblivious tradition, inventing wheel while re-inventing one. Contrary Misak, Sellars targeting Lewis. “Albeit unaware originals, generation 50s [read Sellars] served venerable wine shining bottles” 449). So, Festl's eclipsed dimmed. 1950s, eclipsed. generation, “it seemed really matter” “supposed” eclipse, “unaware extent relied (449). But, demolition [of pragmatism]” (450).Taking gets sense too quick reading impression reinforced Joseph Margolis's review Pragmatists. Margolis “misses essential key separately convergently [and that] rely guidance ‘theory truth’ already confusion” (Margolis).So mean scene? Another possibility vast sweep portioned localities continued develop, less, radar. Some well-entrenched identification origins James's 1890 Principles 1896 Reflex Arc displaced associationism structuralism psychology, widely psychology ceased identifiable school.If correct, dominating figures last (although probably unknowingly) attenuated version nutrition stripped. quarters, filtered United States tend implications pragmatism.I overstates similarities alternative narratives order picture philosophically politically ways, runs counter claims.I cannot avoid analytical per se, without remainder. willing Peirce's writings), lack fit generally, elements fall place. result stripped vitality, lacking contemporary relevance. Peirce) pluralistic. exclusionist. case, “insular” unavoidably mind.I hope comments testify enjoyed successes. mistake dismiss demean worse think, to, remainder.I should variety accomplishes claims pragmatism,” namely, efforts insights cognitive historiography, non-human animals, environmental philosophy, education, medical ethics, Africana studies, policy, architecture, comparative features studies connections neo-Confucianism, considerable salutary. wish mention works authors, society. remarkable proponents appear large body work.Perhaps need leading metaphor. digging alocasia (elephant ear) corms (bulbs) garden preparing winter dormancy, occurred although dormant, corms, alive lovingly preserved editions founding growing women Jane Addams, Elsie Ripley Clapp, Alice Myrtle McGraw, generations researchers teachers. constituted fostered explosive growth enjoying mentioned, others renewed interest Ramsey.Jerzy Kosiński's Chance gardener Being promised spring. Now, ample evidence vibrant verdant