Book Description

The book on Susan Haack's philosophy is a welcome achievement in a grand tradition, as in the series of volumes of 'The Library of Living Philosophers.' Here, too, the multifaceted contributions by a distinguished philosopher are analyzed in turn by nearly a score of feisty scholars, each of whom then is answered by Susan Haack's illuminating reply. Altogether, a feast.-GERALD HOLTON, Mallinckrodt Research Professor of Physics; Research Professor of History of Science, Harvard University; Author of Thematic Origins of Scientific Thought: Kepler to Einsteinand Science and Anti-ScienceAs is well known, Susan Haack combines the fullest technical professionalism in philosophy with a commitment to vigorous participation in debate on large public issues. Her special gift is her ability to bring the former to bear on the latter. This well-conceived collection brings out the force and energy of her thinking.-LORD ANTHONY QUINTON, Former President of Trinity College, Oxford; Former Chairman of the British Library Board and the author of HumeIn this critical appraisal of the work of philosopher Susan Haack, editor Cornelis de Waal has assembled sixteen original essays from outstanding international contributors together with responses from Haack on the points raised. The contributors address most of Haack's key publications, from her early writings on metaphysics to her most recent work in the philosophy of science and the philosophy of law. Topics include: the revisability of logic, the role of emotion in reasoning, scientific integrity, postmodernism and the law, the relation of science to religion, preferential hiring, multiple aspects of Haack's foundherentism, and her crossword analogy.The volume also includes an extensive interview with Haack, which traces the development of her thought, and a complete bibliography of her work.For anyone seeking a better understanding of the work of this important philosopher, this unique collection offers many invaluable insights.Cornelis de Waal (Indianapolis, IN) is associate editor at the Peirce Edition Project and associate professor of philosophy, both at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. He is the author of On Pragmatism, On Mead, and On Peirce in the Wadsworth Philosophers Series; the editor of American New Realism 1910-1920; and the assistant editor of Writings of Charles S. Peirce: A Chronological Edition, Volume 6: 1886-1890.