Publication Details

Abstract

The paper describes the key points of Rorty’s non-fundationalist, non-universalist conception of ethics. Rorty was a successful analytic philosopher before he became a neopragmatist thinker. Gradually he came to the conclusion that if philosophy is to be useful at all, it must be socially useful, weaving the fabric of a freer, better and just society. First Rorty assumed the position of a „liberal ironist” for whom cruelty is the worst thing we do. The other aspect of his social ethics is „solidarity”, but both of them (liberal irony as well as solidarity) are in line with historical contingency rather than necessity.