The Undiscovered Dewey - Religion, Morality and the Ethos of Democracy

Erscheinungsjahr 2009
ISBN: 978-0-231-14486-5
Verlag: Columbia University Press

Buch, Englisch, 352 Seiten, Format (B × H): 159 mm x 236 mm, Gewicht: 632 g

The Undiscovered Dewey explores the profound influence of evolution and its corresponding ideas of contingency and uncertainty on John Dewey's philosophy of action, particularly its argument that inquiry proceeds from the uncertainty of human activity. Dewey separated the meaningfulness of inquiry from a larger metaphysical story concerning the certainty of human progress. He then connected this thread to the way in which our reflective capacities aid us in improving our lives. Dewey therefore launched a new understanding of the modern self that encouraged intervention in social and natural environments but which nonetheless demanded courage and humility because of the intimate relationship between action and uncertainty.

Melvin L. Rogers explicitly connects Dewey's theory of inquiry to his religious, moral, and political philosophy. He argues that, contrary to common belief, Dewey sought a place for religious commitment within a democratic society sensitive to modern pluralism. Against those who regard Dewey as indifferent to moral conflict, Rogers points to Dewey's appreciation for the incommensurability of our ethical commitments. His deep respect for modern pluralism, argues Rogers, led Dewey to articulate a negotiation between experts and the public so that power did not lapse into domination. Exhibiting an abiding faith in the reflective and contestable character of inquiry, Dewey strongly engaged with the complexity of our religious, moral, and political lives.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Rogers, Melvin

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Angewandte Ethik & Soziale Verantwortung
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Ethik, Moralphilosophie
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religionsphilosophie, Philosophische Theologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politische Theorie, Politische Philosophie
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Religionsphilosophie, Philosophische Theologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Sozialphilosophie, Politische Philosophie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

PrefaceAcknowledgmentsList of AbbreviationsIntroductionPart I: From Certainty to Contingency1. Protestant Self-Assertion and Spiritual Sickness2. Agency and Inquiry After DarwinPart II: Religion, the Moral Life, and Democracy3. Faith and Democratic Piety4. Within the Space of Moral Reflection 5. Constraining Elites and Managing PowerEpilogueNotesBibliographyIndex

Über Autor(innen)

Melvin L. Rogers is assistant professor of philosophy at Emory University, where he teaches political theory.