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.