A nice little introduction

My one complaint about this book is that the reader for Peirce sounds consistently angry. Knowing a little about Peirce's personality, that may not be inaccurate, but it could easily obscure the message of his words. In fact, Peirce's language is often refreshingly clear while ocassionally and paradoxically bordering on the poetic. That said, this little book gives plenty of space to Peirce who, while little known to most laymen, is considered by many professionals as the most original and influential of American philosophers. This is an entertaining and illuminating introduction and likely to lead to a desire to know more.

10 people found this helpful

Good introduction

American Pragmatism is one of the greatly misunderstood philosophical ideas. This particular introduction does a fine job of explaining both the historical and intellectual background. Some very important areas of pragmatism are cleared up in this work.

4 people found this helpful

The source for anti-idealism...

A painless introduction to the primarily American philosophy of "the smell test". In brief "ideas must stand the practical scrutiny of rational people...despite historic dogma.

3 people found this helpful

Cool voices dude

The voice actors are absolutely horrible. What in the hell are they thinking? Who are these voices for? What a joke.

2 people found this helpful

A good companion to The Metaphysical Club

I’d also read Louis Menand’s classic to get the sense of what’s going on in the minds of these great people. They’re way ahead of their time and had successfully established great sets of ideas to help us think. In the age of confusing cultural norms, we need to be able to think so this book is appropriate for today’s circumstances.

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Painstakingly boring

Think of the dryest academic class you ever were forced to sit in and multiply it times ten.

Pierce an unlistenable voice. Had to quit

Redgrave excellent as always. This is only segment that shrinks from telling the truth about American intentionality. It's too embarrassing to discuss the idea of good as and new ideas that address the conditions of all the population. America was just as backward about the "under classes" and their "care" and accepting of destroying the native population and importing and breeding slaves. Most simplistic and dishonest of this otherwise ewe done series. Remove it

excellent

i am fully addicted to this short survey of... series. it's really maybe the best that i know of. and brah - VOE, Lynn Redgrave!