Oct 30, 2014 04:50 AM
http://metapsychology.mentalhelp.net/poc...277&cn=394
Analytic Philosophy in America And Other Historical and Contemporary Essays, by Scott Soames, Princeton University Press, 2014
Review by Alexandre Declos
EXCERPT: Distinguished philosopher of language and historian of philosophy, Scott Soames presents in his latest book a collection of fifteen recent essays, three of them previously unpublished. Although most of these texts had originally been published separately and in different contexts, they all share a similar goal: to inquire on the origins, history, and actuality of analytic philosophy, still largely preponderant in English-speaking countries.
[...] Although the major part of the book is dedicated to historical essays, it should be noted that they always incorporate critical remarks, echoing Soames' general advocacy of history of philosophy as a normative project, irreducible to any sort of descriptive narrative for its own sake. Indeed, the author does not hesitate to mark out what he considers to be the fundamental insights or defects of the theories under his scrutiny. He also generally makes clear what are the philosophical claims and options he favors: a good example would be his defense of a "cognitive" theory of propositions in the fourth essay. This aspect of Soames' method should be noted, as it has generated some controversy amongst historians of philosophy in the past (see Soames 2006 for a summary of and replies to these attacks). The reader should thus be aware that in addition to the historical picture here provided, there are also -and admittedly- strong claims held by the author.
Overall, this volume will prove useful for anybody curious about the history of analytic philosophy...
Analytic Philosophy in America And Other Historical and Contemporary Essays, by Scott Soames, Princeton University Press, 2014
Review by Alexandre Declos
EXCERPT: Distinguished philosopher of language and historian of philosophy, Scott Soames presents in his latest book a collection of fifteen recent essays, three of them previously unpublished. Although most of these texts had originally been published separately and in different contexts, they all share a similar goal: to inquire on the origins, history, and actuality of analytic philosophy, still largely preponderant in English-speaking countries.
[...] Although the major part of the book is dedicated to historical essays, it should be noted that they always incorporate critical remarks, echoing Soames' general advocacy of history of philosophy as a normative project, irreducible to any sort of descriptive narrative for its own sake. Indeed, the author does not hesitate to mark out what he considers to be the fundamental insights or defects of the theories under his scrutiny. He also generally makes clear what are the philosophical claims and options he favors: a good example would be his defense of a "cognitive" theory of propositions in the fourth essay. This aspect of Soames' method should be noted, as it has generated some controversy amongst historians of philosophy in the past (see Soames 2006 for a summary of and replies to these attacks). The reader should thus be aware that in addition to the historical picture here provided, there are also -and admittedly- strong claims held by the author.
Overall, this volume will prove useful for anybody curious about the history of analytic philosophy...