Richard Rorty is regarded as something of a pariah in mainstream philosophical circles. In this book, the author takes seriously Rorty's writings, showing how, contrary to what many philosophers believe, he actually helps to enhance and enliven both the philosophy of religion and the chances for moral progress.
Trained by some of the most eminent philosophers of the twentieth century, Richard Rorty has come to be one of the strongest critics of the philosophical tradition. In this book G. Elijah Dann takes seriously Rorty's writings, showing how, contrary to what many philosophers believe, he actually helps to enhance and enliven both the philosophy of religion and the chances for moral progress. Dann goes on to discuss Rorty's metaethics and reviews Rorty's well-known article, "Religion as Conversation-stopper," showing how the private/public distinction, though well-placed, needs adjustment. Contrary to Rorty's view that religious values should remain in the private realm, Dann maintains religious values can play an important role in the public square, albeit through a "translation" into secular terms. Finally the book explores how the history of philosophical interests shaped theological ones and Dann looks at Rorty's more recent thoughts about religion, particularly in his discussion with the Italian philosopher Gianni Vattimo.
"This book examines Rorty's metaphilosophy and his developing thought over the years on the possibilities for religion and political life...it should be of interest to those engaged in reflection about the political aspects and impacts of religion and theology...Dann exhibits and close and receptive familiarity with Rorty's corpus of writings, discerning developments and tensions within his thinking and incipient philosophy of religion, deftly tracking how his views have changed and nuanced over the years....Dann argues that as long as theologians and philosophers of religion keep in mind the limitations of philosophy, along with the limitations of God-talk, then there is no reason why they cannot continue to take God-talk seriously in the present post-Philosophical context....Dann shows that he is definitely an expert on things Rortyan...I do indeed recommend it, especially to those who undertake 'the analysis and criticism of political arrangements' from a theological perspective." - Political Theology
