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Public philosophy is a subfield of philosophy that involves engagement with the public. Jack Russell Weinstein defines public philosophy as "doing philosophy with general audiences in a non-academic setting".. It must be undertaken in a public venue but might deal with any philosophical issue. Michael J. Sandel describes public philosophy as having two aspects. The first is to "find in the political and legal controversies of our day an occasion for philosophy". The second is "to bring moral and political philosophy to bear on contemporary public discourse." James Tully emphasizes that public philosophy is done through ''practice'', through the contestable concepts of citizenship, civic freedom, and nonviolence. According to Sharon Meagher, one of the founders of the Public Philosophy Network, “'public philosophy' is not simply a matter of doing philosophy in public, but must also engage with the community it finds itself in. Some public philosophers are academic professionals, such as
Cornel West Cornel Ronald West (born June 2, 1953) is an American philosopher, political activist, social critic, actor, and public intellectual. The grandson of a Baptist minister, West focuses on the role of race, gender, and class in American society an ...
, Jürgen Habermas, Martha Nussbaum,
Richard Rorty Richard McKay Rorty (October 4, 1931 – June 8, 2007) was an American philosopher. Educated at the University of Chicago and Yale University, he had strong interests and training in both the history of philosophy and in contemporary analytic ...
, James Tully, Jack Russell Weinstein , but others may work outside of the usual academic contexts of teaching and writing for
peer-reviewed journals An academic journal or scholarly journal is a periodical publication in which Scholarly method, scholarship relating to a particular list of academic disciplines, academic discipline is published. Academic journals serve as permanent and transpar ...
such as social activist
Jane Addams Laura Jane Addams (September 6, 1860 May 21, 1935) was an American settlement activist, reformer, social worker, sociologist, public administrator, and author. She was an important leader in the history of social work and women's suffrage ...
and novelist Ayn Rand. Jack Russell Weinstein, director of The Institute for Philosophy In Public Life, contends that although it is commonplace to argue that public philosophy promotes democracy, this argument assumes philosophers are better citizens than non-philosophers.


See also

* Public history *
Public intellectual An intellectual is a person who engages in critical thinking, research, and reflection about the reality of society, and who proposes solutions for the normative problems of society. Coming from the world of culture, either as a creator or ...


References


External links


''Essays in Philosophy'', special issue on public philosophy

Committee on Public Philosophy
of the
American Philosophical Association The American Philosophical Association (APA) is the main professional organization for philosophers in the United States. Founded in 1900, its mission is to promote the exchange of ideas among philosophers, to encourage creative and scholarl ...

Institute for Philosophy in Public Life

''Public Philosophy Journal''

Public Philosophy Network
{{philosophy-stub Philosophy by topic Philosophy