Richard Rorty  2005 G. Lee Griffith, Ph. D. Grenz, S. J. (1996). A Primer on postmodernism. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans

2 Non-realist Access to the world is mediated through language. Truth is not a matter of description of objective reality – Correspondence Theory Truth is a matter of human convention –Snow is white—only because we agree Realist—things have objective qualities Non-realist—the properties of things are merely a matter of social agreement.

3 Non-essentialist Truth, knowledge, morality as well as language do not have inherent properties only relational properties Essentialist = inherent & relational properties Non—essentialist = relational properties. If I call it a thorn bush how would it smell?

4 Non-representationalist Language does not represent reality Elevates coherence rather than correspondence Beliefs are tools for dealing with reality They are maxims that dictate the behavior of the one that holds them Coherence Correspondence

5 Pragmatism Truth is what works Vocabulary of practice Focus on action What is useful? Not what is theoretically correct Not of theory Not on contemplation Not, “What is right?”

6 Truth is only Pragmatic What difference will it make in our conduct? Which vocabulary works better than the others for the purpose which we have in view? Don’t discard the onto- theological tradition rather which bits might be useful for some current purpose? Truth is truth for us.

7 Ethics and Science are Equal No epistemological difference between –What ought to be –What is –Morality –Science =

8 Narrative The way we think and act is embedded in the culture. One cannot go beyond one’s own societies procedures of justification.

9 No Place for an Objective View It is impossible to find a starting point for that lies beyond the contingency of our own temporal context. End

10 No Ultimate Way of Recognizing Truth There is no set of transcendent rules by which we can resolve conflicting assertions. Conform ourselves only to the constraints that arises through our conversations with our fellow inquirers. The only valid guidelines are those of our community

11 Community Renewed appreciation for community Not getting things right but loyalty Not confrontation but conversation Lose metaphysical comfort Gain sense of other humans as the only source of guidance

12 Anti-foundationalist No “first principles” Cannot compare with reality Just discuss things within an community Abandon epistemology for hermeneutics Philosophers are not neutral interpreters

13 New Utopianism Hopeful Rejects relativism that all positions are known to be equally good—god’s eye view Looks for mixture of unforced agreement with tolerant disagreement. Cultural institutions must be neutral on questions of the purpose or goal of human existence.

14 Christian Comments on Rorty Agree on Importance of community Language is not a perfect representation of reality Language can be relational Society does set up some procedures for justification. Importance of loyalty We can want too much metaphysical comfort Importance of other humans for making ethical decisions Philosophers are not neutral observers Unforced agreement good for society Disagree A real world exists “What is right” is important and effects how one should act. Morality over science God lies beyond our societal viewpoints. Bible is a set of transcendent rules More than mere discussion is possible with revelation