Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature

Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature by Richard Rorty, first published in 1979, is a landmark work that challenges the traditional conception of philosophy as a discipline that mirrors or represents reality with objective precision. In this influential text, Rorty critiques foundationalism and the idea that knowledge must rest on indubitable truths, drawing from thinkers like Wittgenstein, Heidegger, and Dewey.

Rorty argues that the image of the mind as a "mirror of nature" has dominated modern epistemology since Descartes, Locke, and Kant, and he calls for a shift away from this representational model. Instead, he advocates for a more pragmatic and historically grounded approach to philosophy, where knowledge is seen as a tool for coping with reality rather than reflecting it.

Blending analytic and continental traditions, Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature helped pave the way for postmodern and neopragmatist thought. It remains a bold and transformative critique of traditional philosophy, urging readers to rethink the aims, methods, and self-image of the philosophical enterprise. 

Product Details:

• ISBN: 0691178151
• EAN: 9780691178158
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Binding: Paperback
• Copyright Date: 2018
• Pub Date: October 31, 2017
• Physical Info: 3.05 cms H x 21.59 cms L x 13.97 cms W (0.5 kgs), 474 pages