From Empiricism to Pragmatism: The American Philosophical Revolution by Sean Robinson offers a comprehensive exploration of the intellectual shift that occurred within American philosophy from the empiricist traditions of the 17th and 18th centuries to the emergence of pragmatism in the 19th and 20th centuries. The book delves into the philosophical transformation that took place in the United States, marked by figures like Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and John Dewey, who reshaped the landscape of philosophy with a focus on practical consequences, human experience, and the role of ideas in improving society.
Robinson examines the foundational ideas of empiricism and how they laid the groundwork for later pragmatist thinkers. Through an in-depth analysis of key philosophers and their contributions, the book illustrates how pragmatism, with its emphasis on action, inquiry, and social progress, became a revolutionary approach to solving problems and addressing social issues. The book highlights the ways in which pragmatism influenced fields such as education, political theory, and law, and its lasting impact on contemporary thought and global intellectual movements.
With an accessible yet rigorous analysis, Robinson traces the trajectory of American philosophy, showing how pragmatism provided an alternative to traditional European models of knowledge and truth, giving rise to a uniquely American philosophical tradition that remains relevant to this day. Through this historical and philosophical journey, readers gain a deeper understanding of the intellectual revolution that shaped modern philosophy in the United States and beyond.
