The Ends of Philosophy: Pragmatism, Foundationalism and Postmodernism

"The Ends of Philosophy has an ambitious project, an engaging philosophical seriousness, wonderful metaphilosophical remarks, and terrific historical chapters. The chapter on Peirce's philosophy is, perhaps, the very best discussion I have seen. This is not to say I agreed with all of it – I did not agree with the criticism of me! – but I was impressed by all of it, including the unexpectedly poignant and modest conclusion." Hilary Putnam, Harvard University <!--end-->

"Cahoone is acutely aware of the problem of self-referentiality in philosophy. The problem especially plagues relativism because, if truth is relative to an inquirer or to a context, then so is the claim that this is so. Cahoone shows that all forms of anti-realism must affirm some form of relativism, even naturalism and pragmatism. This argument is often put forward more for its display of logical acumen than as a serious way to probe the strengths and limitations of a position. Cahoone has the latter purpose. He develops his arguments judiciously, and is so successful in making his point that he can turn this critique upon himself with a positive result. This is one of the notable accomplishments of the book." George Allan, Dickinson College