PHIL330

"American Philosophy" examines the works of major American Philosophers beginning with Jonathan Edwards and ending with Cornel West. After reading two essays by R.W. Emerson, we shall focus on the works of the so called "pragmatist" philosophers of the 19th century, C.S. Peirce, William James, Jane Addams and John Dewey. We shall read and discuss signature essays such as "The Fixation of a Belief" and "The Will to Believe." Philosophical issues will include theories of knowledge and of meaning, education and freedom.