Postmodernist liberalism: A critique of Richard Rorty’s political philosophy

Abstract

Richard Rorty’s philosophy has two basic commitments: one to postmodernism and the other to liberalism. However, these commitments generate tension. As a postmodernist, he sharply criticizes the Enlightenment; as a liberal, he forcefully defends it. His postmodernist liberalism actually explains liberalism using irrationalism.

摘要

罗蒂哲学有两个基本承诺, 一个是对后现代主义的承诺, 一个是对自由主义的承诺。 但是这两种承诺之间存在着紧张关系: 作为后现代主义者, 罗蒂对启蒙提出了强烈的批评; 作为自由主义者, 他又在极力地维护启蒙。 罗蒂的后现代自由主义实质上是以非理性主义来解释自由主义。