Brandom on Pragmatism

Abstract

This paper discusses critically Robert B. Brandom’s reading of the pragmatist tradition. Brandom identifies several different versions of pragmatism; these are compared to some important classical and contemporary kinds of pragmatism. Brandom’s controversial views on pragmatism have been challenged by Hilary Putnam, among others; this
paper contributes to this dialogue between two leading neopragmatists by further analyzing some key problems in Brandom’s account of classical pragmatism. However, Brandom’s way of connecting pragmatism with the Kantian-Hegelian transcendental tradition is both plausible and significant. In addition, the place of (non-reductive) naturalism in pragmatism is illuminated.