The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
Ep. 350: Rorty on Justification and Essentialism (Part One)
Sep 16, 2024
Philosopher Richard Rorty, known for his influential thoughts on pragmatism and anti-authoritarianism, dives into powerful ideas about democracy and truth. He argues that we don't need absolute truths to justify democratic values. Rorty dismisses the distinction between essential and accidental properties, proposing that everything is defined by its relations. The conversation also humorously navigates the divide between continental and analytic philosophies, championing a shift toward pan-relationalism to understand reality.
51:16
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Quick takeaways
- Rorty asserts that democracy can be justified without reference to absolute truths, highlighting its contextual and relational nature.
- The critique of essentialism emphasizes that object identity stems from relationships and interactions rather than fixed intrinsic properties.
Deep dives
Truth and Relationalism in Pragmatism
Pragmatism challenges traditional notions of truth, suggesting that truth should not be viewed as an objective, fixed entity. Instead, it posits that truth is inherently contextual and closely tied to practical implications. For pragmatists, such as Rorty, the significance of a statement lies in its effectiveness in practice rather than its adherence to an absolute standard of truth. This idea draws attention to the interconnectedness of beliefs and practices and questions whether the pursuit of abstract, universal truths is meaningful within a pragmatic framework.
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