Abstract
This paper explores Richard Rorty’s concept of liberal ironism as a central thread in postmodern philosophy and its implications for ethics, politics, and education. Rooted in a rejection of metaphysical foundations, Rorty’s subversive pragmatism promotes a democratic ethos grounded in contingency, solidarity, and imaginative redescription. The liberal ironist is one who doubts the universality of their own beliefs yet remains committed to liberal values such as freedom, justice, and the minimization of cruelty. Each section of the paper addresses a key dimension of this idea—from the death of metaphysics to the coexistence of public hope and private irony. Drawing on Rorty’s major works (Contingency, Irony, and Solidarity; Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature; Achieving Our Country), as well as contemporary scholarship, the analysis demonstrates how Rorty redefines selfhood, community, and civic responsibility in non-foundational terms. In the context of post-truth politics and populism, Rorty’s liberal ironism offers a timely response: not through rigid doctrines, but through empathy, narrative, and solidarity. The paper concludes that liberal ironism, while often misunderstood as relativism, is a morally serious and politically hopeful response to the pluralistic conditions of modern democratic life.
Keywords
Liberal Ironism, Richard Rorty, Postmodern Philosophy, Solidarity, Subversive Pragmatism
Citations
IRE Journals:
Nipul Kumar Nath
"Liberal Ironism in Postmodern Philosophy: Richard Rorty’s Subversive Pragmatism" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 6 Issue 9 2023 Page 507-513
IEEE:
Nipul Kumar Nath
"Liberal Ironism in Postmodern Philosophy: Richard Rorty’s Subversive Pragmatism" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 6(9)
About IRE Journals
IRE Journals is an open access online journals established with an aim to publish high quality of research work in various diciplines. We have more than 6 years in publications. Over 2500+ papers already published.
Important Links
For Authors
Volume 8:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 7:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 6:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 5:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 4:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 3:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12