neopragmatist

Neopragmatism is a late 20th-century development of pragmatist philosophy that recasts ideas about truth, meaning, and inquiry in a modern analytic context. It is most closely associated with the work of Richard Rorty, who argued that truth is not a mirror of reality but a property of linguistic and social practices that prove useful for coping with experience. In this view, philosophical disputes are debates about what works best for a community, rather than discoveries of objective foundations.

Key themes include the rejection of foundational epistemology and metaphysics, the primacy of language and social practice, and the idea that rational justification is bound to communal norms and purposes. Neopragmatists emphasize contingency, the idea that beliefs gain force through their use in conversation and cooperation, and they treat philosophical questions as ongoing social and political projects rather than as aims to uncover eternal truths. The notion of objectivity is recast as intersubjective rather than absolute.

Significant figures often linked to neopragmatism include Richard Rorty, with others such as Hilary Putnam and Robert Brandom associated with neopragmatist tendencies or influences. The movement extends the legacy of Peirce, James, and Dewey by applying pragmatist insights to contemporary issues in language, belief, ethics, and politics.

Critics argue that neopragmatism risks relativism or dismisses empirical science, while supporters contend that it clarifies the pragmatic function of beliefs and avoids unfounded foundational claims. The label remains debated, but neopragmatism continues to influence discussions on truth, democracy, and the role of philosophy in public life.