Abstract
Richard Rorty’s critics often considered him a relativist and a subjectivist, but he should be described as a particular type of sceptic: an ironist. The accusations of relativism and subjectivism only apply to Rorty’s philosophy if we evaluate it through the lenses of the very perspective he seeks to reject - a path a bit senseless to be taken. To illustrate, I will consider - and comment on - some of the criticisms raised against Rorty by Hilary Putnam. The task is, then, to rehearse a partial defense of Rortyan ironic pragmatism. There is intrinsic value in the sort of philosophical irony Rorty stood for. Yet, this notion of irony is the same that leads Rorty to reduce philosophy to a mere literary genre, and this is not without its contradictions. My doubt is whether, in the end, Rorty’s reduction of the role of philosophy is self-refuting.
Highlights
Richard Rorty’s critics o en considered him a relativist and a subjectivist, but he should be described as a particular type of sceptic: an ironist
The only thing Putnam got right about Rorty is his skepticism. Even this accusation only applies if we evaluate Rortyanism through the lenses of the very perspectives it seeks to reject - an approach a bit pointless to be taken
The remainder of this paper is divided into two main sections: section 1 (Rortyanism in Context) seeks to clarify the general problem a bit further, and section 2 (Rorty’s relativism and subjectivism according to Putnam) considers Putnam’s argument and Rorty’s replies in some detail
Summary
Richard Rorty’s critics o en considered him a relativist and a subjectivist, but he should be described as a particular type of sceptic: an ironist.
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