Representation, Experience, and Metaphysics: Towards an Integrated Anti-Representationalist Philosophy

This book provides an original perspective on the debate about anti-representationalism and the nature of philosophy, critiquing the positive view of philosophy developed by thinkers like Rorty and Price. It distinguishes between a world-for-us and a world-in-itself and examines questions about realism and metaphysics for anti-representationalist pragmatism, arguing for a common sense kind of realism and the value of philosophical enquiry.

Format: Hardback
Length: 189 pages
Publication date: 09 April 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This book offers a fresh and innovative take on the ongoing debate surrounding anti-representationalism and the essence of philosophy. This debate has gained significant attention in recent years thanks to the contributions of notable figures such as Richard Rorty, Paul Horwich, Huw Price, and Amie Thomasson. It stands as the first work to explicitly explore the relationship between this well-known pragmatist form of anti-representationalism and anti-representationalist perspectives in other branches of philosophy, particularly in the fields of perception and cognitive science. Drawing upon the neo-pragmatism of Rorty and Price as its foundation, the book critically examines the ways in which these and other thinkers have constructed a positive view of philosophy and its scope. By delving into the discussion surrounding representationalism versus anti-representationalism in perception and cognitive science, the book presents a distinct perspective on the significance of neo-pragmatism. Moreover, it offers an independently intriguing viewpoint on these other debates. A central theme in this perspective involves distinguishing between a "world-for-us" and a "world-in-itself," although in a different manner than Kant and many other philosophers. The book extends these reflections to address questions about realism and the boundaries of metaphysics for anti-representationalist pragmatism. It argues that the view can uphold a common-sense kind of realism, while also valuing the distinctively philosophical pursuit of metaphysics.

Weight: 471g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031269233
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023