1. The Importance of Dewey for Philosophy (and much else besides) ; 2. The Naturalists Return ; 3. Real Realism: The Galilean Strategy ; 4. On the Explanatory Role of Correspondence Truth. ; 5. Pragmatism and Realism: A Modest Proposal ; 6. Does 'Race' Have a Future? ; 7. Mathematical Truth? ; 8. Carnap and the Caterpillar ; 9. Philosophy Inside Out ; 10. A Pragmatist's Progress: The Varieties of James' Strategies for Defending Religion ; 11. Challenges for Secularism ; 12. Militant Modern Atheism ; 13. Naturalistic Ethics without Fallacies ; 14. The Hall of Mirrors ; 15. Education, Capitalism, and Democracy ; 16. Public Knowledge and its Discontents ; 17. Varieties of Altruism

"Preludes to Pragmatism is an important and rewarding book."--Christopher Hookway, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews "In this lively and lucid collection of essays, Philip Kitcher--one of America's leading philosophers--seeks to further the reform of philosophy inspired by the pragmatic tradition of James and Dewey. Critical of the current state of Anglophone philosophy, he develops a pragmatic naturalism that deals with some of the most pressing cultural issues of our time-including the meaning of value in contemporary society and the reconciliation of science and religion. Anyone interested in the creative potential of pragmatism for the reconstruction of philosophy today will find this insightful book invaluable."--Richard J. Bernstein, Vera List Professor of Philosophy, New School for Social Research "In articles ranging from metaphysics and philosophy of mathematics to ethics and the philosophy of religion, Preludes to Pragmatism develops and makes a powerful case for pragmatic naturalism. By drawing on, extending, and emending ideas drawn from the classical pragmatists, Philip Kitcher argues that no appeal to transcendent, non-natural entities is required to underwrite our deepest theoretical commitments, or rationalize our practices."--Catherine Z. Elgin, Harvard University "Philip Kitcher's Preludes to Pragmatism offers a radical 'reconstruction of philosophy' which aims to renew the projects of William James and John Dewey. Advocating a form of 'pragmatic naturalism,' Kitcher's aim is not simply to use pragmatist ideas as material for a more sophisticated reformed 'normal philosophy.' Rather than using pragmatist ideas to provide better solutions to familiar problems, he follows Dewey in seeking to 'liberate philosophy' from familiar questions that can now be transcended. Whether discussing atheism or secularism, race or altruism, he meets familiar views with pragmatist challenges that can change the philosophical terrain. In doing so, he contributes to the truth of his claim that pragmatism is one of the most significant developments in the history of philosophy."--Christopher Hookway, University of Sheffield

Selling point: This volume will be controversial in recommending a thorough re-orienting of philosophy toward a different set of goals. Selling point: Author is well known in philosophy and has written many books. Selling point: The book gathers Kitcher's essays on pragmatism for the first time in book form.

Selling point: This volume will be controversial in recommending a thorough re-orienting of philosophy toward a different set of goals. Selling point: Author is well known in philosophy and has written many books. Selling point: The book gathers Kitcher's essays on pragmatism for the first time in book form.