The Art of Manliness The Metaphysical Club
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Nov 1, 2021 Louis Menand, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Harvard professor, delves into the intriguing world of the Metaphysical Club, a group founded in 1872 that gave birth to pragmatism. He unpacks the profound contributions of notable figures like Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. and William James, exploring how their experiences shaped American philosophy. Menand discusses the rise and decline of pragmatism, its historical significance, and its relevance today, including the tension between belief and the scientific understanding of the world.
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Holmes' Post-War Philosophy
- Holmes' war experience led him to believe that absolutist ideologies, like abolitionism, can incite violence.
- He advocated for a system that facilitates diverse opinions and resolves conflicts democratically.
James's Encounter with Agassiz
- William James studied biology and joined Louis Agassiz on an expedition to Brazil.
- Agassiz, a prominent scientist but a racist, opposed Darwinism and believed in separate creations after each ice age.
Peirce's Contributions
- Charles Sanders Peirce, despite personal struggles, contributed to math, philosophy, and semiotics.
- Peirce is considered a founder of pragmatism, though William James later popularized the term.
