Folder Name: 2381
Book Name: E00463_Contemporary American Philosophy.pdf
Summary: As a pioneer in American philosophy, John Dewey reflects on his philosophical journey from the influence of Dr. Marsh's German thinking on the philosophical tradition at the University of Vermont to his encounters with Professor Torrey and his inclination towards pantheism. Dewey emphasizes the importance of progressive, empirically-based philosophical lives that strive towards unifying the eternal and the fleeting. Moving forward, the personal statements of contemporary American philosophers like George Santayana, Arthur O. Lovejoy, William Pepperell Montague, and Roy Wood Sellars reveal a diverse range of philosophical influences and positions. Lovejoy challenges the dichotomy between absolute idealism and absolute realism, presenting an intermediate perspective that blends both viewpoints. Santayana contemplates the intersections of literary psychology, universal experience, and religious philosophy, emphasizing the role of human psychology in creating a coherent world view. Simultaneously, Montague questions the nature of reality by considering the mixed character of objects perceived in sensory experiences. Sellars narrates his philosophical evolution from childhood theological reflections to early encounters with William James and subsequent engagements with the mind-body problem and theory of knowledge. Each philosopher offers a unique perspective on metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and the nature of reality, contributing to the rich tapestry of contemporary American philosophy.