Solidarity in the Conversation of Humankind: The Ungroundable Liberalism of Richard Rorty

by Norman Geras

In this book, Norman Geras engages with the work of Richard Rorty to explore the paradoxes of a liberalism which rejects and determinate view of human nature. He begins by examining Rorty’s thesis concerning rescuer behavior during the Holocaust. Measuring it against existing research on the subject and the testimony of rescuers themselves, Geras questions Rorty’s use of their moral example as a challenge to universalist assumptions. He then considers some of the problems in Rorty’s his shifting usages of ‘human nature’; the paradoxical pleas for extensive forms of solidarity on the basis of parochial communitarian premises; the relationship of pragmatist notions of truth to issues of justice; and the project of democratic, would-be ‘humanist’ utopia grounded only on contingencies.

Solidarity in the Conversation of Humankind is an imagined dialogue with Rorty—influential, eloquent and unorthodox champion of a humane radical liberalism.

Genres: Philosophy

160 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 1995

About the author

Norman Geras was Professor Emeritus of Government at the University of Manchester. In a long academic career, he has contributed substantially to the analysis of the works of Karl Marx, particularly in his book Marx and Human Nature and the article "The Controversy About Marx and Justice," which remains a standard work on the issue.