Clayton Chin presents a critical reconstruction of the work of Richard Rorty that argues that that Rorty provides us with unrecognized tools for resolving key foundational issues. The Practice of Political Theory is an important response to the vexed questions of justification and pluralism.
The new third edition of the highly successful text has been revised and updated throughout to take account of new issues such as identity and difference, globalization and multiculturalism. The book provides a clear and accessible introduction to political theory and key concepts in political analysis. Each chapter discusses a cluster of interrelated terms, examines how they have been used by different thinkers and in the various political traditions, and explores related debates and controversies.
The book explores Richard Rorty's contributions to philosophy, particularly his examination of its role in social and political contexts. It addresses fundamental questions about philosophy's function and limitations, including its ability to reflect on or prescribe societal norms. Rorty's work is significant for its meta-level analysis of philosophy as a whole, especially during a crisis in its foundational principles. By reimagining philosophy beyond traditional boundaries, Rorty has been recognized as a pivotal figure in contemporary American philosophical thought.