Abstract

In Reconstruction in Philosophy, John Dewey argued that "the distinctive office, problems, and subjectmatter of philosophy grow out of stresses and strains in the community life in which a given form of philosophy arises, $\dots$" This dissertation attempts to locate the work of Charles Sanders Peirce, Josiah Royce, and John Dewey in a tradition of American philosophy which places work in philosophy in relation to its context in the life of the larger community. It is argued that this tradition harbors a neglected, yet viable understanding of philosophy, and that a reconstructive approach can shed light on contemporary issues. The first chapter examines Dewey's call for reconstruction, his understanding of philosophy as criticism, and his theory of communication. Some problems with Dewey's instrumentalist language are examined. The second chapter attempts to trace the origins of the reconstructive view to Peirce's work in general and his theory of the community of inquiry in particular. The third chapter takes up Royce's theory of interpretation and of community as it appears in The Problem of Christianity. The fourth chapter examines developments of Royce's theory of community on writings on social concerns of his day, compares Royce's view with Dewey's, and examines some parallels between Royce's work and the sociological analysis of Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann in The Social Construction of Reality. The fifth chapter attempts to use a reconstruction approach to sketch strategies for the problem of the unity of the academic community, cultural literacy as a condition for participation in community, and the responsibility of the professional to the community. The dissertation argues that Josiah Royce's theory of interpretation and community avoids certain problems inherent in Dewey's approach, and provides a better way to understand the relationships among the various projects of inquiry and interpretation which are sustained and supported by the community