Description: Richard Rorty is regarded as something of a pariah in mainstream philosophical circles. In this book, the author takes seriously Rorty's writings, showing how, contrary to what many philosophers believe, he actually helps to enhance and enliven both the philosophy of religion and the chances for moral progress.
Brief description: G. Elijah Dann is Visiting Research Fellow at The Center for Studies in Religion and Society, University of Victoria, Canada. His previous publications include Philosophy: A New Introduction (co-edited with Douglas Mann), Wadsworth, 2004, and numerous journal articles.
Review Quotes:
""Although the book does not focus explicitly on political theology, if its analysis is correct, it should be of interest to those engaged in reflection about the political aspects and impacts of religion and theology ... Dann exhibits a close and receptive (though not completely uncritical) familiarity with Rorty's corpus of writings, discerning developments and tensions within his thinking and incipient philosophy of religion, deftly tracking how his views have changed and nuanced over the years." - Political Theology" --Tobias Winright
""G. Elijah Dann's argument that Richard Rorty's metaphilosophy could be a resource for the transformation of theology places the reader squarely in the midst of contemporary intellectual developments. This is a fascinating study." James R. Horne, University of Waterloo" --Blurb from reviewer ""This book examines Rorty's metaphilosophy and his developing thought over the years on the possibilities for religion and political life...it should be of interest to those engaged in reflection about the political aspects and impacts of religion and theology...Dann exhibits and close and receptive familiarity with Rorty's corpus of writings, discerning developments and tensions within his thinking and incipient philosophy of religion, deftly tracking how his views have changed and nuanced over the years....Dann argues that as long as theologians and philosophers of religion keep in mind the limitations of philosophy, along with the limitations of God-talk, then there is no reason why they cannot continue to take God-talk seriously in the present post-Philosophical context....Dann shows that he is definitely an expert on things Rortyan...I do indeed recommend it, especially to those who undertake 'the analysis and criticism of political arrangements' from a theological perspective." - Political Theology" --Tobias Winright, Political Theology