Realism versus Realism

by Chhanda Gupta

Overview

Realism versus Realism defends the metaphysics of 'Internal Realism,' a view authored by Hilary Putnam, and seeks to build on its basis an immanent realistic position to resolve two conflicts: the conflict between realism and some forms of anti-realism, especially relativism which involves constructivism and subjectivism; and also between two forms of realism itself, namely transcendent and immanent. Contra transcendent realism, author Chhanda Gupta rejects the absolute view of realities that (a) transcend our concept forming powers, (b) transcend our cognitive abilities, and (c) are said to have features by themselves, not as things appear to us. Contra relativism of the anti-realist stripe, Gupta defends conceptual relativity without letting it drift towards constructivism and subjectivism. This general theory of realism minus absolutism, and relativism minus subjectivism and constructivism, may be seen to have a relevance for our moral and social image of the world by showing how pluralism can avoid the ills of absolutism without ushering in intellectual and moral anarchy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742513877
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	10/02/2002
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	5.86(w) x 8.96(h) x 0.43(d)

About the Author

Chhanda Gupta is professor of philosophy at Jadavpur University, Calcutta. She is author of numerous journal articles and was a fellow of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (1985-86) and a Fulbright Research Fellow at Harvard University in 1985 and 1995.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Preface Chapter 3 Realism versus Realism: Transcendent and Immanent Chapter 4 The Way the Real Appears Is the Way It Is Chapter 5 Realism versus Nominalism: From Quine's Immanent Metaphysical Point of View Chapter 6 Skepticism against Realisms Chapter 7 Peirce's Halfway House between Two Realisms Chapter 8 Putnam's Resolution of the Realist Relativist Controversy Chapter 9 Postscript

Editorial Reviews

In this brilliant essay, Chhanda Gupta not only develops and defends her own reconciliatory version of realism, but presents and incisively discusses an amazing amount of the contemporary literature concerning realism and anti-realism.. .. The result is an important and highly readable contribution to the discussion, and one which will not soon become dated.

Hilary Putnam

Gupta's analysis of varieties of realism and antirealism is precise and insightful. It treats the views of Kant, Peirce, Popper, Quine, Putnam, Davidson, and others. Her own contribution to the discussion of this central issue is original and significant. It should not be missed.

Michael Krausz Michael Krausz

What is so compelling about Chhanda Gupta's book is, first, that you come away with a clear sense of the significance of the realism question and, second, that you find you cannot escape the options she sets before you.

Joseph Margolis

Gupta's analysis of varieties of realism and antirealism is precise and insightful. It treats the views of Kant, Peirce, Popper, Quine, Putnam, Davidson, and others. Her own contribution to the discussion of this central issue is original and significant. It should not be missed.

Michael Krausz