Pragmatism and Social Philosophy : Exploring a Stream of Ideas from America to Europe

This book explores the role that American pragmatism played in the development of social philosophy in 20th-century Europe.

The essays in the first part of the book show how the ideas of Peirce, James, and Dewey influenced the traditions of European philosophy, especially existentialism and the Frankfurt School of Critical Theory, that emerged in the 20th century. The second part of the volume deals with current challenges in social philosophy. The essays here demonstrate how discussions of two core issues in social philosophy―the conception of social conflict and the public―can be enriched with pragmatist resources. In featuring both historical and conceptual perspectives, these essays provide a full picture of pragmatism’s role in the development of Continental social philosophy.

Pragmatism and Social Philosophy will be of interest to scholars and advanced students working on American philosophy, social philosophy, and Continental philosophy.

Michael G. Festl is a professor of philosophy at the University of St. Gallen. Michael has been a guest researcher in Salzburg, Chicago, and Melbourne. He wrote a book on justice and edited a handbook on pragmatism. He lives with his wife and his four children near Lake Constance.