The Cosmopolitan Self: George Herbert Mead and Continental PhilosophyIn this incisive commentary, Mitchell Aboulafia examines the relevance of the American pragmatist philosopher George Herbert Mead to current debates on pluralism, universalism, and the fostering of a democratic temper. Addressing the relationship between Mead's notions of self and society and those of important continental thinkers, The Cosmopolitan Self demonstrates that Mead's ideas not only speak to resolving the tension between universalism and pluralism, they do so in a manner that challenges and advances the positions of these continental theoreticians. Aboulafia examines how Mead's insights illuminate Hannah Arendt's reading of Immanual Kant's third Critique and Jrgen Habermas's understanding of the relationship among communicative action, universality, and individuation. theorists on topics such as impartiality and good judgment, Aboulafia develops a conception of universalism that is compatible with contemporary notions of pluralism He also addresses the serious challenge presented to Mead's approach to pluralism by Emmanuel Levinas, who holds that true pluralism, presupposing an irreducible individualism, is fundamentally irreconcilable with universalism. The Cosmopolitan Self offers a model of the democratically inclined individual who embodies both a capacity to establish common ground with others and a sensitivity to their uniqueness. This important volume appreciably advances the dialogue between continental thought and classical American philosophy. |
Contents
Judgment and Universality in Arendts Kant | 28 |
Habermas and Mead | 61 |
Levinas and the Other Side | 87 |
Pluralism Radical Pluralism and the Perspectives | 105 |
Notes | 129 |
Bibliography | 147 |
Other editions - View all
The Cosmopolitan Self: George Herbert Mead and Continental Philosophy Mitchell Aboulafia No preview available - 2006 |
Common terms and phrases
Aboulafia abstract actor Adam Smith appears Arendt attitude autoaffection become chapter claims cognitive communicative action concept context cosmopolitan Critique of Judgement democracy Derrida Dewey disinterested Emmanuel Levinas emphasize enlarged mentality entails ethical experience George Herbert Mead gestures groups Habermas Habermas's Hannah Arendt Hegel Hertz human Ibid ical ideal Individuation through Socialization interaction interests international-mindedness Jane Addams John Dewey judge judgment Kant Kant's Kierkegaard latter Lectures Levinas Levinas's Mead's approach Mead's position meaning mind moral nature notion novelty object one's oneself ourselves passage perspective Philosophical pluralism political possible postconventional pragmatic pragmatists present question rationality realm reflection reflexive relationship responses role self-interest sense sensus communis society sort specific strategic suggest symbols sympathy themes Theory thinkers third Critique thought tion Trans transcendence transcendental understand unique universalistic universe of discourse University of Chicago University Press violence voice words
References to this book
Speaking from Elsewhere: A New Contextualist Perspective on Meaning ... José Medina Limited preview - 2007 |