Critically engages the work of American philosopher Richard J. Bernstein.

The Pragmatic Century critically assesses the significance of American philosopher Richard J. Bernstein's intellectual contributions. Written by scholars who share with Bernstein a combined interest in the American pragmatic tradition and contemporary religious thought, the essays explore such diverse topics as Bernstein's place as an interpreter of both American and continental thought, the possibility of system building and analysis in an antimetaphysical age, the potential for theological and ethical reinterpretation in contemporary society, and much more. Included are not only responses by Bernstein to each essay, but also two new essays by Bernstein himself that orient readers to the central role pragmatism has played throughout the last century and also provide an encomium to the continuing value of democratic ideals at a time when those ideals are threatened on many different fronts.

Sheila Greeve Davaney is Professor of Theology at Iliff School of Theology and the author of Pragmatic Historicism: A Theology for the Twenty-first Century, also published by SUNY Press. Warren G. Frisina is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Hofstra University and the author of The Unity of Knowledge and Action: Toward a Nonrepresentational Theory of Knowledge, also published by SUNY Press.