Overview

American Philosophies offers the first historically framed introduction to the tradition of American philosophy and its contemporary engagement with the world. Born out of the social and political turmoil of the Civil War, American philosophy was a means of dealing with conflict and change. In the turbulence of the 21st century, this remains as relevant as ever. Placing the work of present-day American philosophers in the context of a history of resistance, through a philosophical tradition marked by a commitment to pluralism, fallibilism and liberation, this book tells the story of philosophies shaped by major events and illustrates the ways in which philosophy is relevant to lived experience. The 2nd edition of this book presents a survey of the historical development of American philosophy, as well as coverage of key contemporary issues in America including race theory, feminism, gender, indigenous peoples, philosophies of disability and environmentalism. In particular, it contains new coverage of Covid, the election of Donald Trump, American religious thought, and immigration history. It also takes seriously the dramatic political and social machinations of the past seven years and engages with emerging voices and traditions. This is a substantial and provocative introduction to the work of the major American thinkers and their contemporary interlocuters.

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9781350342750

Table of Contents

Reviews

Encyclopaedic in scope, McKenna and Pratt offer a panoramic view of American Philosophies. Highly recommended as a first read and constant companion in a field that is large and contains multitudes. * Cythia Willett, Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Philosophy at Emory University * American Philosophies: A Reader is a vital resource for anyone seeking to understand the intellectual traditions that have shaped—and contested—the meaning of American life. Erin McKenna and Scott L. Pratt have given us a volume that expands the boundaries of philosophy, bringing together voices from pragmatism, Indigenous thought, African American political reflection, feminist theory, and beyond. It resists the insularity of the standard canon and insists on the public, plural, and political dimensions of philosophy in the United States. With clarity and purpose, the volume invites readers to see philosophy not simply as abstract speculation but as a tool for navigating moral complexity, structural injustice, and democratic possibility. For scholars, students, and public thinkers, American Philosophies offers an indispensable guide to the ideas that continue to animate and unsettle the American experiment. It is a reader committed to the unfinished work of critical reflection and collective renewal. * Melvin Rogers, Edna and Richard Salomon Distinguished Professor of Political Science, Associate Director of the Center for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, Brown University *

Author Information

Erin McKenna is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Oregon, USA. She is the author of many philosophy books including Animal Pragmatism (2004) and Living with Animals (2020) and is co-editor of Pragmatist Feminism and the Work of Charlene Haddock Seigfried (Bloomsbury, 2022). Scott L. Pratt is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Oregon, USA. He is an expert in American philosophy and is author of books such as Native Pragmatism: Rethinking the Roots of American Philosophy (2002) and co-editor many philosophical volumes including American Philosophies: An Anthology (2002).

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