GENIUS FORUMS

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Slate.com

On June 8, 2007 American philosopher Richard Rorty died at the age of 75.
http://www.slate.com/id/2168488/


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I can rule him out as as Reasoning Show guest then?

In the posted article, Mark Edmundson describes one of Rorty's ideas by saying "What was a good language to speak? The one that helped you to get what you wanted." I was thinking that the other day, except I figured it was just something we naturally did, rather than something we should do. Do we ever intentionally thwart our own interests with our use of language? I'm going to have to read some of his stuff. It sounds thought-provoking.

Do we ever intentionally thwart our own interests with our use of language?

Intentionally? I don't know. It's an interesting question. But the fact that many of us do so unintentionally should be quite obvious. I know I frequently catch myself using the language and vocabulary of groups that oppose my interests.

ExpectantlyIronic wrote:In the posted article, Mark Edmundson describes one of Rorty's ideas by saying "What was a good language to speak? The one that helped you to get what you wanted." I was thinking that the other day, except I figured it was just something we naturally did, rather than something we should do. Do we ever intentionally thwart our own interests with our use of language? I'm going to have to read some of his stuff. It sounds thought-provoking.

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Yes, i'm a-goin' to the public library tomorrow an' see what dey have on the way of books by him. Otherwise, it's the internet searches :-(

His stint in the military gave him pause to his outlook on... it did me.




Tomas (the tank)
Prince of Jerusalem
16 Degree
Scottish Rite Free Mason


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what made richard rorty a crucial american philosopher?
i'd say................the fact that he "flew the flag" for antiessentialism, antifoundationalism, and irony in the united states. he questioned the customs and mores of middle class american society. he was "america's greatest philosopher," yet he was one of the philosophers most actively involved in deconstructing the so-called "values" of the united states. (i'd say he served the same function in LATE twentieth century america that hl mencken did in EARLY twentieth century america.)

it's a shame that i had a nervous breakdown around the time of rorty's death. i might have attended the funeral, or at least sent flowers.