Fateful Shapes of Human Freedom

Vincent Colapietro

Description

John William Miller's radical revision of the idealistic tradition anticipated some of the most important developments in contemporary thought, developments often associated with thinkers like Heidegger, Benjamin, Foucault, Derrida, and Rorty. In this study, Vincent Colapietro situates Miller's powerful but neglected corpus not only in reference to Continental European philosophy but also to paradigmatic figures in American culture like Lincoln, Emerson, Thoreau, and James.

The book is not simply a study of a particular philosopher or a single philosophical movement (American idealism). It is rather a philosophical confrontation with a cluster of issues in contemporary life. These issues revolve around such topics as the grounds and nature of authority, the scope and forms of agency, and the fateful significance of historical place. These issues become especially acute given Colapietro's insistence that the only warrant for our practices is to be found in these historically evolved and evolving practices themselves.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Philosophy

Informations

• Publié par: Vanderbilt University Press
• Date de parution: 01 janvier 2003
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780826591579
• Langue: English

Extrait

Fateful Shapes of Human Freedom John William Miller and the Crises of Modernity

Vincent Colapietro

Fateful Shapes of Human Freedom

THE VANDERBILT LIBRARY OF AMERICAN PHILOSOPHY offers interpretive perspectives on the historical roots of American philosophy and on present innovative developments in American thought, including studies of values, naturalism, social philoso- phy, cultural criticism, and applied ethics.

Series Editors Herman J. Saatkamp, Jr., General Editor (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis) Cornelis de Waal, Associate Editor (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis)

Editorial Advisory Board Kwame Anthony Appiah (Harvard) Larry Hickman (Southern Illinois University) John Lachs (Vanderbilt) John J. McDermott (Texas A&M) Joel Porte (Cornell) Hilary Putnam (Harvard) Ruth Anna Putnam (Wellesley) Beth J. Singer (Brooklyn College) John J. Stuhr (Pennsylvania State)

Fateful Shapes of Human Freedom

J OHN W ILLIAM M ILLER AND THE C RISESOF M ODERNITY

Vincent Colapietro

Vanderbilt University Press • Nashville

© 2003 Vanderbilt University Press All rights reserved First Edition 2003

This book is printed on acid-free paper. Manufactured in the United States of America

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Colapietro, Vincent Michael, 1950–

Fateful shapes of human freedom : John W

illiam Miller and the

crises of modernity / Vincent Colapietro.— 1st ed.

p. cm. — (The Vanderbilt library of American philosophy).

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN 0-8265-1409-X (alk. paper)

ISBN 0-8265-1433-2 (pbk. : alk. paper)

1. Miller, John William. I. Title. II. Series. B945.M4764 C65 2003 191—dc21

2002153469

To John E. Smith

and John J. McDermott

Whose example and friendship have been

for me a constant invitation

To look anew at our defining histories

And at the actual shapes of our fragile freedom

1

2

3

4

5

Contents

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Preface

xiii

Crises of Modernity

xi

Revision of Philosophy

The Midworld

86

ix

1

29

Historical Displacements and Situated Narratives: Locating Responsibility

Critique, Narration, and Revelation

Notes

References

273

Name Index

Subject Index

299

311

315

187

133

Acknowledgments

There are of course far too many debts to acknowledge here. But the personal and intellectual support and encouragement of certain friends and colleagues have been, without exaggeration, indispensable. I owe deep gratitude to Doug Anderson, Bob Ashmore, Dom Balestra, Richard J. Bernstein, H. Patrick Costello, John Greco, Peter H. Hare, John Lachs, the late Henry W. Johnstone Jr., Jude Jones, Peter T. Manicas, John J. McDermott, Richard S. Robin, Beth J. Singer, Ken Stikkers, John E. Smith, and John J. Stuhr, and Stephen Tyman. I am also grateful to Michael Ames, director of Vanderbilt University Press, and to Herman J. Saatkamp, Jr., Cornelis de Waal, Dariel Mayer, and Deborah Stuart Smith. Kory Spencer Sorrell and Michael J. McGandy are close intellectual companions who have subjected to painstaking attention an earlier draft of this study. John William Miller’s two sons, Eugene and Paul, have in different ways been very helpful, as was his widow, Catherine (Gisel) Miller. Joseph P. Fell and the late George P. Brockway read various drafts, offering numerous suggestions, insightful criticism, and unceasing encour- agement. My deepest regret regarding this project is that George did not live to see the publication of this book. My deepest satisfaction is that Joe’s assistance will not have been squandered! Others who also knew John William Miller were very generous with their time, above all, Robert H. Elias, Robert E. Gahringer, and Cushing Strout. Along with letters from George Brockway and Joe Fell, my corre-

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