So with Richard Rorty, you have a philosopher who's emphasizing that you
So with Richard Rorty, you have a philosopher who's emphasizing that you

can't be irresponsible to a group of which you're not a member.
can't be irresponsible to a group of which you're not a member.

Right, responsibility and rationality also are always dependent upon the group
Right, responsibility and rationality also are always dependent upon the group

in which you are embedded, the vocabulary that you're speaking with the community
in which you are embedded, the vocabulary that you're speaking with the community

of which you're a member. Now, he puts this in the context of the
of which you're a member. Now, he puts this in the context of the

history of philosophy in the little essay I gave you to read.
history of philosophy in the little essay I gave you to read.

insofar as he talks about the debate between Kantians, who were looking for
insofar as he talks about the debate between Kantians, who were looking for

intrinsic human dignity, they're looking for human rights, they're looking for a
intrinsic human dignity, they're looking for human rights, they're looking for a

ahistorical distinction between morality and prudence.
ahistorical distinction between morality and prudence.

These are the, the things we already talked about as opposed to the Hegelians,
These are the, the things we already talked about as opposed to the Hegelians,

who are really just looking at human dignity as as something that comes out of
who are really just looking at human dignity as as something that comes out of

being part of a community that something that comes out of participation without
being part of a community that something that comes out of participation without

appeal to impartial criteria. So Burdi says, if the Hegelians are
appeal to impartial criteria. So Burdi says, if the Hegelians are

right, there are no ahistorical criteria to which we can appeal to justify our
right, there are no ahistorical criteria to which we can appeal to justify our

moral decisions. So this is Hegel without foundations,
moral decisions. So this is Hegel without foundations,

because, Hegel sometimes thought, or at least it appears he thought, that there
because, Hegel sometimes thought, or at least it appears he thought, that there

was a grounding to history, and that history just revealed this grounding or
was a grounding to history, and that history just revealed this grounding or

this foundation. But for Rorty, what Hegel's great
this foundation. But for Rorty, what Hegel's great

insight. was, was that history is it all.
insight. was, was that history is it all.

History reveals truth with a capital T. And for Rorty, the distinction is that
History reveals truth with a capital T. And for Rorty, the distinction is that

history goes on forever. This is really like Dewey says that
history goes on forever. This is really like Dewey says that

inquiry is, inquiry is endless, we just keep asking questions, we say something's
inquiry is, inquiry is endless, we just keep asking questions, we say something's

true when we want to pay some part of our inquiry a compliment, or we get lazy and
true when we want to pay some part of our inquiry a compliment, or we get lazy and

don't want to do any more inquiries, so we say, Okay, that's true.
don't want to do any more inquiries, so we say, Okay, that's true.

But someone else is going to pick up the question.
But someone else is going to pick up the question.

Someone else is going to continue that history.
Someone else is going to continue that history.

And for Rorty, that's the difference between the Hegelian and the Kantian,
And for Rorty, that's the difference between the Hegelian and the Kantian,

its, for the Hegelian it's always about somebody else being part of the
its, for the Hegelian it's always about somebody else being part of the

community. Somebody else picking up the historical
community. Somebody else picking up the historical

threads, but there is no impartial criteria according to which you can judge
threads, but there is no impartial criteria according to which you can judge

that activity, that, that, that historical change.
that activity, that, that, that historical change.

And so Rorty here talks about post-philosophy.
And so Rorty here talks about post-philosophy.

That is, giving up this notion that philosophy can be a referee, tell you
That is, giving up this notion that philosophy can be a referee, tell you

what kind work you're doing. Are you doing rational work, or
what kind work you're doing. Are you doing rational work, or

irrational, are you doing science, are you doing humanities, are you doing the
irrational, are you doing science, are you doing humanities, are you doing the

noumenal, or the phenomenal. Rorty says, away with all that.
noumenal, or the phenomenal. Rorty says, away with all that.

He made that argument in a great book of history of philosophy called The
He made that argument in a great book of history of philosophy called The

Philosophy in the Mirror of Nature. In which, he argued that philosophy was
Philosophy in the Mirror of Nature. In which, he argued that philosophy was

constantly trying to say, which of the things we do, which of the things we say,
constantly trying to say, which of the things we do, which of the things we say,

are closer to the real. He, he tried to show, I think he did
are closer to the real. He, he tried to show, I think he did

show, that, that notion of getting closer to the real.
show, that, that notion of getting closer to the real.

Is, fundamentally flawed. and that what we have are more or less
Is, fundamentally flawed. and that what we have are more or less

useful ways of coping with the world, more or less adaptive strategies of, of
useful ways of coping with the world, more or less adaptive strategies of, of

dealing with the world. And what matters, is how are, how we feel
dealing with the world. And what matters, is how are, how we feel

we are being served by the tools we have, not whether those tools, match some
we are being served by the tools we have, not whether those tools, match some

ultimate. reality.
ultimate. reality.

and in terms of morality, that means that our morality is based on what will, we'll
and in terms of morality, that means that our morality is based on what will, we'll

accept [INAUDIBLE] called we intentions. That is morality is based on the groups
accept [INAUDIBLE] called we intentions. That is morality is based on the groups

to which we think our ideas are relevant. The groups to which, which we think we
to which we think our ideas are relevant. The groups to which, which we think we

have some connection with. And morality is not a, here's the
have some connection with. And morality is not a, here's the

fundamental part, [LAUGH] morality is not universal.
fundamental part, [LAUGH] morality is not universal.

That's the departure from Kant, right? Kant said you can tell if something is
That's the departure from Kant, right? Kant said you can tell if something is

moral by understanding whether the maxim behind the action is, in principle,
moral by understanding whether the maxim behind the action is, in principle,

universalizeable. Rorty on the other hand as like Sellars
universalizeable. Rorty on the other hand as like Sellars

says, morality is grounded or is uh, [LAUGH] grounded in community which means
says, morality is grounded or is uh, [LAUGH] grounded in community which means

it has no foundation. It is, morality a product of our
it has no foundation. It is, morality a product of our

participation in community overtime. and that leaves philosophy out of the
participation in community overtime. and that leaves philosophy out of the

game of finding foundations or finding the really real, the terms we've used in
game of finding foundations or finding the really real, the terms we've used in

this class. There is no really real.
this class. There is no really real.

and in that sense, Rorty is in the tradition of Nietzsche.
and in that sense, Rorty is in the tradition of Nietzsche.

He's in the tradition of critical theory, but he also thinks that the communities
He's in the tradition of critical theory, but he also thinks that the communities

to which we pay allegiance now are ones we should try, strive to improve, rather
to which we pay allegiance now are ones we should try, strive to improve, rather

than to demolish because they have no foundations.
than to demolish because they have no foundations.

>> The less certainty we have the better, I think, and you know, it would
>> The less certainty we have the better, I think, and you know, it would

be best if all the general principles that we use to guide our actions were
be best if all the general principles that we use to guide our actions were

left open for discussion. >> Certainty is not a goal of
left open for discussion. >> Certainty is not a goal of

intellectual life, and, or it shouldn't be.
intellectual life, and, or it shouldn't be.

>> So the day you need to reach a, a certainty you know [INAUDIBLE] , in order
>> So the day you need to reach a, a certainty you know [INAUDIBLE] , in order

to act on something, you have to [INAUDIBLE] determination.
to act on something, you have to [INAUDIBLE] determination.

>> You also, you'll have to have the courage to act without certainty.
>> You also, you'll have to have the courage to act without certainty.

And typically we don't have certainty. >> So what do we have?
And typically we don't have certainty. >> So what do we have?

We have just probability, argument. >> We make our practical decisions on
We have just probability, argument. >> We make our practical decisions on

the basis of experience, the people we've run into, the books we've read.
the basis of experience, the people we've run into, the books we've read.

Everything in our past lives. We don't make them typically on the basis
Everything in our past lives. We don't make them typically on the basis

of principle. Nor should we.
of principle. Nor should we.

>> Rorty had an enormous impact on contemporary philosophy.
>> Rorty had an enormous impact on contemporary philosophy.

he stirred up a lot of controversy because he was so rigorously against the
he stirred up a lot of controversy because he was so rigorously against the

idea foundationalism. And he came from a background in analytic
idea foundationalism. And he came from a background in analytic

philosophy, and he was able to show why foundationalism didn't make sense from
philosophy, and he was able to show why foundationalism didn't make sense from

within analytic philosophy. At least he, he, he tried to show that
within analytic philosophy. At least he, he, he tried to show that

and analytic philosophers continue to respond to that challenge.
and analytic philosophers continue to respond to that challenge.

He helped reinvigorate pragmatism as a a school of thought that emphasizes inquiry
He helped reinvigorate pragmatism as a a school of thought that emphasizes inquiry

and practice, rather than foundations or ahistorical criteria.
and practice, rather than foundations or ahistorical criteria.

the next thing that we're going to talk about today is Cornell West, who is is a
the next thing that we're going to talk about today is Cornell West, who is is a

friend and, and, studied with Richard Rory, friend of Richard Rory's, and
friend and, and, studied with Richard Rory, friend of Richard Rory's, and

studied with him. I remember being in a seminar with
studied with him. I remember being in a seminar with

Cornell West on Heidegger that, that Rory gave at Princeton and
Cornell West on Heidegger that, that Rory gave at Princeton and

Cornell West wrote a really important book about pragmatism and prophecy, or
Cornell West wrote a really important book about pragmatism and prophecy, or

the romantic prophetic tradition and has gone on to do much political and
the romantic prophetic tradition and has gone on to do much political and

philosophical work. What, what I want us to pay attention to
philosophical work. What, what I want us to pay attention to

in Cornell West's work, is his attempt to go beyond the ironic deflationary parts
in Cornell West's work, is his attempt to go beyond the ironic deflationary parts

of Richard Rorty's contribution. And used his, West's attempt to use
of Richard Rorty's contribution. And used his, West's attempt to use

pragmatism to invigorate a a political a radical political a critique of
pragmatism to invigorate a a political a radical political a critique of

contemporary American society. for him, for West, pragmatism, he says
contemporary American society. for him, for West, pragmatism, he says

is, is, is poised between a sense of tragedy and a sense of revolution.
is, is, is poised between a sense of tragedy and a sense of revolution.

West says, The relation of tragedy of revolution is intertwined with that of
West says, The relation of tragedy of revolution is intertwined with that of

tradition and progress. A prophetic pragmatism.
tradition and progress. A prophetic pragmatism.

This is West's term for his kind of philosophy.
This is West's term for his kind of philosophy.

Prophetic pragmatism as a form of third wave left romanticism, tempers its
Prophetic pragmatism as a form of third wave left romanticism, tempers its

utopian impulse with a profound sense of the tragic character of life and history.
utopian impulse with a profound sense of the tragic character of life and history.

>> A romanticism thoroughly saturated the discourse of modern thinkers.
>> A romanticism thoroughly saturated the discourse of modern thinkers.

Can you [INAUDIBLE]? Can you make things whole?
Can you [INAUDIBLE]? Can you make things whole?

Can you create harmony? If you can't, disappointment.
Can you create harmony? If you can't, disappointment.

Disappointment is always at the center. Failure is always at the center.
Disappointment is always at the center. Failure is always at the center.

Well, where'd the romanticism come from? Why'd we get into romanticism?
Well, where'd the romanticism come from? Why'd we get into romanticism?

See, I don't [INAUDIBLE] romanticism. Well, remember what Beethoven said on his
See, I don't [INAUDIBLE] romanticism. Well, remember what Beethoven said on his

death bed, you know? To learn, to look at the world in all of
death bed, you know? To learn, to look at the world in all of

its darkness and evil, and still love it. And that's not romantic Beethoven, this
its darkness and evil, and still love it. And that's not romantic Beethoven, this

is a Beethoven that string quartets, 1, 3, 1, the greatest, the greatest string
is a Beethoven that string quartets, 1, 3, 1, the greatest, the greatest string

quartet ever written I guess in Classical music, but of course this is European
quartet ever written I guess in Classical music, but of course this is European

forms, Beethoven is a grand master. But the string quartets, you go back to
forms, Beethoven is a grand master. But the string quartets, you go back to

those movements, there is no romantic holiness to be shattered as in early
those movements, there is no romantic holiness to be shattered as in early

Beethoven. He's given up on that, you see.
Beethoven. He's given up on that, you see.

So, this is where Chekov begins. This is where the blues starts.
So, this is where Chekov begins. This is where the blues starts.

When jazz starts, you think Charlie Parker's upset 'cuz he can't sustain a
When jazz starts, you think Charlie Parker's upset 'cuz he can't sustain a

harmony? He doesn't care about the harmony, he's
harmony? He doesn't care about the harmony, he's

trying to complete his ride on the dissonance, ride on the blue notes, of
trying to complete his ride on the dissonance, ride on the blue notes, of

course he's got harmony in terms of his interventions here and there.
course he's got harmony in terms of his interventions here and there.

But why start with this obsession with wholeness, and if you can't have it, then
But why start with this obsession with wholeness, and if you can't have it, then

you're disappointed. And want to have a drink and Melancholia,
you're disappointed. And want to have a drink and Melancholia,

blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. No, you see, the blues, my kind of blues,
blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. No, you see, the blues, my kind of blues,

begins with catastrophe, begins with the angel of history and, and, and,
begins with catastrophe, begins with the angel of history and, and, and,

[INAUDIBLE] you see? It begins with the pileage of wreckage,
[INAUDIBLE] you see? It begins with the pileage of wreckage,

on one pile on another, that's the starting point.
on one pile on another, that's the starting point.

The blues is personal catastrophe, lyrically expressed.
The blues is personal catastrophe, lyrically expressed.

And black people in America and in the modern world given these vicious legacies
And black people in America and in the modern world given these vicious legacies

of white supremacy. It is how to do you generate an elegance
of white supremacy. It is how to do you generate an elegance

of earned self togetherness? So then you have a stick-to-it-ness in
of earned self togetherness? So then you have a stick-to-it-ness in

the face of the catastrophic and the calamitous and the horrendous and the
the face of the catastrophic and the calamitous and the horrendous and the

scandalous and the monstrous. See, part of the problem, though, is
scandalous and the monstrous. See, part of the problem, though, is

that, see, when you have a romantic project, you're so obsessed with time as
that, see, when you have a romantic project, you're so obsessed with time as

loss. And time is a taker.
loss. And time is a taker.

Whereas as a Jacobian Christian, I want to stress as well, time is a gift.
Whereas as a Jacobian Christian, I want to stress as well, time is a gift.

And time is a giver. So that yes, it's failure, but you know
And time is a giver. So that yes, it's failure, but you know

how good is a failure? That's a wonderful thing.
how good is a failure? That's a wonderful thing.

Rebecca can say you know, try again, fail again, fail better.
Rebecca can say you know, try again, fail again, fail better.

But why call it failure? I mean, why not say you have a sense of
But why call it failure? I mean, why not say you have a sense of

gratitude that you're able to do as much that, as you did, you're able to love as
gratitude that you're able to do as much that, as you did, you're able to love as

much, and think as much, and play as much?
much, and think as much, and play as much?

Why think you needed the whole thing? You see what I mean?
Why think you needed the whole thing? You see what I mean?

This is even disturbing about America, and of course, America is a romantic
This is even disturbing about America, and of course, America is a romantic

project. Superior diesel /g, city on the hill, and
project. Superior diesel /g, city on the hill, and

all this other mess of lies, and so on. I said, no, no!
all this other mess of lies, and so on. I said, no, no!

America's a very fragile democratic experiment predicated on dispossession of
America's a very fragile democratic experiment predicated on dispossession of

the lands of indigenous peoples, and the enslavement of African peoples, and the
the lands of indigenous peoples, and the enslavement of African peoples, and the

subjugation of women. Marginalization of, of gays and lesbians,
subjugation of women. Marginalization of, of gays and lesbians,

and it has great potential. But this notion that somehow you know, we
and it has great potential. But this notion that somehow you know, we

had it all, or will ever have it all, that's got to go, you know, push it to
had it all, or will ever have it all, that's got to go, you know, push it to

the side. If you push all that to the side it tends
the side. If you push all that to the side it tends

to evacuate the language of disappointment and the language of
to evacuate the language of disappointment and the language of

failure. And you say, so okay how much have we
failure. And you say, so okay how much have we

done, how I been able to do it? Can we do more?
done, how I been able to do it? Can we do more?

[INAUDIBLE] we can't do more. It's like trying to break dance at 75,
[INAUDIBLE] we can't do more. It's like trying to break dance at 75,

you can't do it anymore. You are master at 16, it's over.
you can't do it anymore. You are master at 16, it's over.

You can't make love at 80 the way you did at 20.
You can't make love at 80 the way you did at 20.

So what? Time is real.
So what? Time is real.

>> This is very different from Rorty's register, I mean he's talking about
>> This is very different from Rorty's register, I mean he's talking about

profound sense and utopian impulse. Rorty's, you know, much more temperate,
profound sense and utopian impulse. Rorty's, you know, much more temperate,

alright. He's much less dramatic.
alright. He's much less dramatic.

West loves the drama and he, and he sees that its not just drama for him, it is
West loves the drama and he, and he sees that its not just drama for him, it is

urgency. The pragmatic urgency to change the
urgency. The pragmatic urgency to change the

world. But he wants to temper that, even West,
world. But he wants to temper that, even West,

tempers that sense of urgency with a sense of tragedy, knowing that you can't
tempers that sense of urgency with a sense of tragedy, knowing that you can't

always make the world conform even to your best impulses.
always make the world conform even to your best impulses.

In the reading that I've asked for you to find for this week West says that
In the reading that I've asked for you to find for this week West says that

prophetic pragmatism denies Sisyphean pessimism and utopian perfectionism.
prophetic pragmatism denies Sisyphean pessimism and utopian perfectionism.

That is, West is trying to steer a course between pessimism and perfectionism.
That is, West is trying to steer a course between pessimism and perfectionism.

He wants to tap into Christian traditions as well as pragmatic traditions.
He wants to tap into Christian traditions as well as pragmatic traditions.

That he says, keep hope alive as a vehicle for energizing the will to change
That he says, keep hope alive as a vehicle for energizing the will to change

the world. Not because we have the foundations.
the world. Not because we have the foundations.

But because we have aspirations, to make the world a, a better place.
But because we have aspirations, to make the world a, a better place.

Through, envisioning, radical change. What, what West does say is that you in
Through, envisioning, radical change. What, what West does say is that you in

here he's firmly in this pragmatic and Rortian tradition, is you have to move
here he's firmly in this pragmatic and Rortian tradition, is you have to move

away from epistemology. Epistemology is not important to
away from epistemology. Epistemology is not important to

philosophy, but it is the move away from epistemology says the swerve away from
philosophy, but it is the move away from epistemology says the swerve away from

epistemology is a reconception of philosophy.
epistemology is a reconception of philosophy.

As cultural criticism. Philosophy is becomes a form of cultural
As cultural criticism. Philosophy is becomes a form of cultural

criticism that West wants to link to democratic aspirations.
criticism that West wants to link to democratic aspirations.

West also is, is it's important for him to say the denial of foundations is not a
West also is, is it's important for him to say the denial of foundations is not a

denial of religion. That is, for West belonging to a
denial of religion. That is, for West belonging to a

community of faith, can be an empowering act.
community of faith, can be an empowering act.

Even without a commitment to foundationalism I that's a hard one to to
Even without a commitment to foundationalism I that's a hard one to to

articulate clearly, for me, because I think the I West is trying to say as, as
articulate clearly, for me, because I think the I West is trying to say as, as

Rorty did. That it's all about the communities to
Rorty did. That it's all about the communities to

which you belong and, and West, as the community to which I belong, I, Cornell
which you belong and, and West, as the community to which I belong, I, Cornell

West belong, is a, is a Christian community that has a radical utopian
West belong, is a, is a Christian community that has a radical utopian

impulse. And that's not necessarily a foundation
impulse. And that's not necessarily a foundation

in the philosophic sense, but it's a grounding existential.
in the philosophic sense, but it's a grounding existential.

Commitment for West and that, as he says, doesn't just keep hope alive, but
Commitment for West and that, as he says, doesn't just keep hope alive, but

actually keeps one sane in a world of enormous disappointment.
actually keeps one sane in a world of enormous disappointment.

And I'll, I'll give you back to this to send you back to a clip now to hear West
And I'll, I'll give you back to this to send you back to a clip now to hear West

talk a little bit about that. in, in a section of the documentary.
talk a little bit about that. in, in a section of the documentary.

>> Let's put it this way. That for me, I mean philosophy is
>> Let's put it this way. That for me, I mean philosophy is

fundamentally about our finite situation. You can define it in terms of beings
fundamentally about our finite situation. You can define it in terms of beings

towards death, featherless two-legged, linguistically-conscious creatures going
towards death, featherless two-legged, linguistically-conscious creatures going

between the [UNKNOWN] feces and bile, that will one day be the culinary delight
between the [UNKNOWN] feces and bile, that will one day be the culinary delight

of terrestrial worms. That's us.
of terrestrial worms. That's us.

Beings toward death. At the same time we have desire, why we
Beings toward death. At the same time we have desire, why we

are organisms in space and time, so it's desire in the face of death.
are organisms in space and time, so it's desire in the face of death.

And then, of course, you've dogmatism, various attempts to hold on to certainty.
And then, of course, you've dogmatism, various attempts to hold on to certainty.

Where it's formed by theology. And you've got dialog in the face of
Where it's formed by theology. And you've got dialog in the face of

dogmatism that, of course structurally and institutionally you have domination.
dogmatism that, of course structurally and institutionally you have domination.

And you have democracy, you have attempts of people trying to render accountable,
And you have democracy, you have attempts of people trying to render accountable,

elites, kings, queens, [INAUDIBLE], corporate elites, politicians.
elites, kings, queens, [INAUDIBLE], corporate elites, politicians.

You try to make these elites accountable to everyday people.
You try to make these elites accountable to everyday people.

So philosophy itself becomes a critical disposition of wrestling with desire in
So philosophy itself becomes a critical disposition of wrestling with desire in

the face of death, wrestling with dialogue in the face of dogmatism and
the face of death, wrestling with dialogue in the face of dogmatism and

wrestling with democracy, trying to keep alive a very fragile democratic
wrestling with democracy, trying to keep alive a very fragile democratic

experiment, in the face of structures of domination, patriarchy, white supremacy,
experiment, in the face of structures of domination, patriarchy, white supremacy,

imperial power state power, all those concentrated forms of power that are not
imperial power state power, all those concentrated forms of power that are not

accountable to people who are affected by it.
accountable to people who are affected by it.

[SOUND] >> So, one question that keeps coming
[SOUND] >> So, one question that keeps coming

up, or a phrase, is this idea of the meaningful life.
up, or a phrase, is this idea of the meaningful life.

Do you think this is philosophy's duty to speak on this?
Do you think this is philosophy's duty to speak on this?

>> A meaningful life? >> How to live a meaningful, is that
>> A meaningful life? >> How to live a meaningful, is that

even how about, is that even an appropriate question for a class?
even how about, is that even an appropriate question for a class?

>> No, I think it is. no I think the problem of meaning is very
>> No, I think it is. no I think the problem of meaning is very

important now, Niahlism is a serious challenge.
important now, Niahlism is a serious challenge.

meaninglessness is a serious challenge. Even making sense of meaninglessness is
meaninglessness is a serious challenge. Even making sense of meaninglessness is

itself a kind of discipline and achievement.
itself a kind of discipline and achievement.

The problem is, of course, you never reach it.
The problem is, of course, you never reach it.

You know, it's not a static, stationary [UNKNOWN] or end or aim.
You know, it's not a static, stationary [UNKNOWN] or end or aim.

It's, it's a process that one never reaches.
It's, it's a process that one never reaches.

It's Sisyphean, you're going up the hill. Looking for better meanings, or grander
It's Sisyphean, you're going up the hill. Looking for better meanings, or grander

more ennobling, enabling meaning. Things but you never reach it.
more ennobling, enabling meaning. Things but you never reach it.

you know, in, in that sense. You die without being able have the whole
you know, in, in that sense. You die without being able have the whole

in the language of romantic discourse. [BLANK_AUDIO]
in the language of romantic discourse. [BLANK_AUDIO]