This paper examines and compares the different ways in which Charles Taylor and Richard Rorty critique the representationalism and foundationalism characteristic of modern epistemology (Chapter One), then considers how their critiques affect their respective understandings of morality (Chapter Two) and of the role of religious belief in modern secular societies (Chapter Three). Rorty's and Taylor's epistemological debate is presented as an example of the differences between, on the one hand, 'anti-ontological' or pragmatic post-foundational philosophies (such as Rorty's) and, on the other, 'weak ontological', contact realist alternatives (such as Taylor's). The paper concludes with a defense of Taylor's position over Rorty's, and, in doing so, makes a case for the rejection of strictly naturalist accounts of the moral and religious life in favor of a (weak ontological) picture of the human person as necessarily oriented in relation to transcendent goods of other trans-human realities.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 247-250) Also available in print.

Thesis (M.A.)--Denver Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-98).

Thesis (M.A.)--Denver Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-98).

Thesis (M.A.)--Denver Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-98).

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

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[pt] A dissertação A Concepção de Contingência em Richard Rorty pretende apresentar a concepção de contingência no pensamento de Richard Rorty, que é especialmente desenvolvida em seu livro Contingência, Ironia e Solidariedade (1989). O primeiro capítulo será sobre a contingência da linguagem; o segundo, sobre a contingência do indivíduo, e o terceiro, sobre a contingência de uma comunidade liberal. Partindo desse estudo, o quarto capítulo será constituído pela apresentação de algumas reflexões e críticas em relação à compreensão sobre a contingência, com o objetivo de traçar um diálogo com o autor, buscando trazer maior esclarecimento sobre o tema. As questões estarão relacionadas aos valores defendidos pelo autor em sua comunidade liberal utópica, ao questionar se de fato podem ser deduzidos da sua compreensão de contingência da linguagem e de indivíduo. / [en] The dissertation The conception of contingency in Richard Rorty intends to present the conception of contingency in Richard Rorty's thought, which is especially developed in his book Contingency, Irony and Solidarity (1989). The first chapter will discuss the contingency of language, the second, the contingency of selfhood, and the third, the contingency of a liberal community. From this point, the fourth chapter will comprise the presentation of some reflections and criticisms concerning the comprehension of contingency. Our goal is to outline a discussion with the author to lead to a better understanding on the issue. Thus the questions will be related to the values defended by Rorty in his liberal utopia, and analyze if we can in fact deduce them from the comprehension of contingency of language and selfhood.

Pragmatist Receptions of Martin Heidegger”. This paper studies theAmerican Pragmatist reception of Heidegger’s thought. The article briely presentsBrandom’s and Okrent’s readings of Heidegger, paying attention afterwards toRorty’s articulation of the Heideggerian legacy with the work of Wittgensteinand classical Pragmatists, especially Dewey. Rorty’s appropriation of Heideggerassumes a philosophical and metaphilosophical anti-essentialist commitment.This commitment requires some reading operations in relation to the lastHeidegger, who cannot be easily assimilated by the Pragmatist tradition. Thetension between irony and nostalgia will be crucial for Rorty’s appropriation ofHeidegger’s thought. / En el presente trabajo se hace un recorrido por la recepción norteamericanaen clave pragmatista de la obra de Heidegger. Se presentan sucintamentelas lecturas realizadas por Brandom y Ockrent, para luego concentrarse en laarticulación que hace Rorty del legado heideggeriano con la obra de Wittgensteiny de los pragmatistas clásicos, especialmente Dewey. La apropiación rortiana deHeidegger supone un compromiso antiesencialista, a nivel ilosóico y metailosóico,que requiere una serie de operaciones de lectura en relación, especialmente,con el último Heidegger, de difícil asimilación por parte de la tradición pragmatista.La tensión entre nostalgia e ironismo será una clave de dicha apropiacióny una oportunidad para pensar sus límites.