Louis Menand

Louis Menand, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Harvard professor, delves into the intriguing world of the Metaphysical Club, a group founded in 1872 that gave birth to pragmatism. He unpacks the profound contributions of notable figures like Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. and William James, exploring how their experiences shaped American philosophy. Menand discusses the rise and decline of pragmatism, its historical significance, and its relevance today, including the tension between belief and the scientific understanding of the world.