Does Ron Barnett have a problem with pragmatism?

Abstract

Barnett, in several of his published works, often refers to pragmatism in rather ungenerous terms. Most recently he criticized pragmatism as an allegiance to anything goes. In response to that caricature this paper shows that the most prominent of current pragmatists—Richard Rorty—offers his strong allegiance to a range of principles which actually coincide with many of those Barnett himself actually espouses. These principles—or ideals of the university as Barnett calls them—include cheerfulness, tolerance, reasonableness, generosity and a will to go on. The paper examines what Barnett has to say about each of these in his latest book and then shows where they have their counterparts in Rorty's work. Overall the paper suggests that Barnett has a problematically limited view of Rortyan pragmatism.

Notes

* c/o School of Education, Anglia Polytechnic University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1SQ. Email: [email protected]

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Graham Badley *

* c/o School of Education, Anglia Polytechnic University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1SQ. Email: [email protected]