British Empiricism and American Pragmatism: New Directions and Neglected Arguments

This volume contributes to the remarkable resurgence in interest in American pragmatism and its proponents, William James, C.S. Peirce and John Dewey by focusing on the influence of British empiricism, especially the philosophies of Locke and Hume, and the sharp differences between the two traditions. It is Roth's contention that American pragmatism, sometimes called America's first indigenous philosophy, has something significant to say philosophically not only for America, but for the world. Here, the author claims, the lines of development and divergence between British empiricism and American pragmatism have not been sufficiently developed.