The Context
Early American Philosophical Ideas
How to Define ItAmerican Philosophy = “Philosophy in the British Colonies that became the U.S. from mid 17th Century to early 19th Century.”
Defining our FieldDefining our Field “American philosophy is a American philosophy is a
complex reality, enlivened by complex reality, enlivened by historically marginalized but historically marginalized but never silenced voices.”- a jazz never silenced voices.”- a jazz improvisation.improvisation.
Four Central StreamsOrthodox PuritanismNatural PhilosophyNative American ideasEuropean Philosophy
Some Major Aspects
Influence of Bacon, Newton and Locke
Evolution and processColonial versus Native American attitude
European Sources-1 Francis Bacon (1561-1626)-
Novum Organum Empirical-inductive approach
to nature. Anti-authority-Idols Power and usefulness of knowledge
Sir Issac Newton Philosophiae Naturalis
Principia Mathematica (1687) & Optics (1704)
Natural Philosophy Universal Laws- inductive Refinement over time
John Locke (1632-1704)1690-Essay Concerning Human Understanding
Analytic method to human mind.
No innate ideas- Blank tablet- filled by experience.
Puritan ThemesGod in control of nature- read as God’s will.
Fall of humanity-battle of Good and Evil
Predestination
Puritan ThemesInvisible-Visible churchCovenant and CompactCongregationalismGrand History- New Jerusalem-New World
Jonathan EdwardsTook on Newton & Locke- Dispositional Ontology-Immanence
History of Redemption-role of human and of America
Jonathan EdwardsFight against evil-need of constant revival
Scripture and Nature“American Augustine”
Benjamin Franklin“Father of American Philosophy & Science”
Accomplishments as Printer, writer, scientist, inventor, social reformer, diplomat, Founding father
Benjamin FranklinIdentity of Electricity and Lightning- fluid theory of electricity
Science & human good- American Philosophical Society
Benjamin FranklinReligious thought-Puritan origins, but Deist
Moral philosophy-virtue and action in the world.
Franklin as a Pragmatist
Native AmericansRoger Williams- “The Indigenous Attitude”-peaceful coexistence among differing peoples.
Cannibals
Native AmericansMiantonomi- leader of Narragansett- proposed concepts of Wunnégin & Coanáumatous
“Sociableness”
Native AmericansNoelin, Delaware prophet- “Master of Life” vision- different creation stories.
Logic of place, land
Caldwaller GoldenThe History of Four Indian Nations- 1727
“Orenda”- song and voice- Haudenosaunce
Interaction, pluralism, community and growth.
American ThemesRejection modern viewFallibilismPluralismRadical empiricismContinuity of science & philosophy
American Themes
Pragmatism and meilorism
Centrality of community and the social
Others?
Central QuestionsCentral Questions What does it mean to be a self? What constitutes a meaningful life? What epistemological method makes most
sense- how know? Information? Wisdom? What type of community is able to respect
& honor the vast variety of competing interests and values in America?
Relevance to TodayRelevance to Today Explanation of radical evil- genocide, etc. The nature and value of democracy and
the role of civil disobedience. The role of evolutionary thought in
philosophy and theology. Race and gender issues-for self,
community, politics, and knowledge.