Books

Introducing Pragmatism: A Tool for Rethinking Philosophy. New York: Routledge, 2021.

This unique introduction fully engages and clearly explains pragmatism, an approach to knowledge and philosophy that rejects outmoded conceptions of objectivity while avoiding relativism and subjectivism. Among others, the book discusses: the classical pragmatists (Peirce, James, Dewey, Mead, Addams) as well as contemporary figures like Rorty, Putnam, Haack, and West, and draws connections with other twentieth-century approaches, including phenomenology, critical theory, and logical positivism. The book discusses Peirce’s pragmatic maxim and its relation to James’s Will to Believe, as well as applications of pragmatism to philosophy of law, feminism, and issues of race and racism.

Introducing Pragmatism: A Tool for Rethinking Philosophy. Henan: Henan University Press, forthcoming 2025

Chinese translation, by Jing Zhou, of Introducing Pragmatism: A Tool for Rethinking Philosophy (2021).

Charles S. Peirce: A Guide for the Perplexed. London: Continuum Press, 2013.

Peirce: A Guide for the Perplexed is a clear and thorough account of Peirce’s life and thought, his major works and ideas, providing an ideal guide to this important and complex thinker. The book introduces all the key concepts and themes in Peirce’s thought, exploring his contributions to logic, pragmatism, truth, semiotics and metaphysics while demonstrating how his ideas developed into a coherent system of thought. Geared toward the specific requirements of students who need to reach a sound understanding of Peirce’s ideas, the book serves as a clear and concise introduction to his philosophy. This is the ideal companion to study one of the most influential and challenging of thinkers.

I パースの哲学について本当のことを知りたい人のために Tokyo: Keisōshobō, 2017

Japanese translation, by Hidesuke Ōsawa, of Charles S. Peirce: A Guide for the Perplexed (2013).

Peoseu Chualhakeui Eehae, Seoul: Hankuk University Press, 2016 (2^nd ed. 2019).

Korean translation, by Yunhee Lee, of Charles S. Peirce: A Guide for the Perplexed (2013).

On Pragmatism. Belmont: Wadsworth, 2005.

The main criteria to consider in philosophy topic books like this is whether the book is clear and reasonably complete. On this account, the book is excellent. It concisely describes the philosophies of classical American philosophers and their philosophical descendants. In the few areas that I know well, I was happy with what was said: I don’t think anything important was left out. In discussion of those philosopher’s I didn’t know too well, I found the information helpful and interesting enough to continue my research. The one downside is that the book may be to concise, providing a lot of information quickly and therefore making hard to read casually. —Amazon reader review

Sobre pragmatismo. São Paulo: Edições Loyola, 2007

Portuguese translation, by Cassiano Rodrigues, of On Pragmatism (2005).

An audiobook version appeared with Recordings for the Blind & Dyslexic, Princeton, N.J., 2005.

On Mead. Belmont: Wadsworth, 2002.

On Peirce. Belmont: Wadsworth, 2001.

De Waal has given us a very readable book that will surprise even longtime Peirce scholars. Perfect for the classroom. — Peirce Project Newsletter, Spring 2001

De Waal ofrece su valiosa experiencia concentrada en este libro, de una manera ágil, profunda, concisa, y atractiva. — Anuario Filosofico, Fall 2001

За Пърс. Sofia: New Bulgarian University Press, 2015.

Bulgarian translation, by Andrey Tashev and Nikolay Ivanov, of On Peirce (2001).

皮爾士 / Pi Er Shi. Beijing: Zhong Hua Book Co., 2003 (2^nd ed. 2014).

Chinese translation, by Hao Chang-chi, of On Peirce (2001).

Oxford Handbook of Charles S. Peirce. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2024

The Oxford Handbook of Charles S. Peirce brings together thirty-four original essays on his work, showcasing state-of-the-art research in a broad variety of areas. Among other things, the Handbook touches upon phenomenology, logic, aesthetics, ethics, semiotics, physics, mathematics–and, of course, the tradition of pragmatism for which Peirce is well known as the founder, and which has enjoyed increased attention in recent years.

The Illustrations of the Logic of Science by Charles S. Peirce. Chicago: The Open Court, 2014. 

Charles S. Peirce’s Illustrations of the Logic of Science is an early work in the philosophy of science and the official birthplace of pragmatism. It contains Peirce’s two most influential papers: “The Fixation of Belief” and “How to Make Our Ideas Clear,” as well as discussions on the theory of probability, the ground of induction, the relation between science and religion, and the logic of abduction. Unsatisfied with the result and driven by a constant, almost feverish urge to improve his work, Peirce spent considerable time and effort revising these papers. These efforts gained significant momentum after the turn of the century when Peirce sought to establish his role in the development of pragmatism while also distancing himself from the more popular versions that had become current. The present edition brings together the original series as it appeared in Popular Science Monthly and a selection of Peirce’s later revisions, many of which remained hidden in the mass of messy manuscripts that were left behind after his death in 1914.

The Normative Thought of Charles S. Peirce. New York: Fordham University Press, 2012 (with Krzysztof Skowroński).

This volume explores the three normative sciences Peirce distinguished (aesthetics, ethics, and logic) and their relation to phenomenology and metaphysics. The chapters approach this topic from a variety of angles, ranging from questions concerning the normativity of logic to an application of the Peirce’s semiotics to John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme.” A recurrent question throughout is whether a moral theory can be grounded in the Peirce’s work, despite his rather vehement denial that this can be done. Some chapters ask whether a dichotomy exists between theoretical and practical ethics. Other chapters show that Peirce’s philosophy embraces meliorism, examine the role played by self-control, seek to ground communication theory in his speculative rhetoric, or examine the normative aspect of the notion of truth.

Susan Haack: A Lady of Distinctions. The Philosopher Responds to Her Critics. Amherst: Prometheus Books, 2007 (editor).

A critical appraisal of the work of philosopher Susan Haack that showcases sixteen original essays from outstanding international contributors together with responses from Haack on the points raised. The contributors address most of Haack’s key publications, from her early writings on metaphysics to her most recent work in the philosophy of science and the philosophy of law. Topics include: the revisability of logic, the role of emotion in reasoning, scientific integrity, postmodernism and the law, the relation of science to religion, preferential hiring, multiple aspects of Haack’s “foundherentism,” and her crossword analogy. The volume also includes an extensive interview with Haack, which traces the development of her thought, and a complete bibliography of her work.

Dictionary of Early American Philosophers. 2 vols. Bristol: Thoemmes Continuum Press, 2012. Subject Editor for Scientists, Logicians, Mental Philosophers, and Speculative Philosophers.

The Dictionary of Early American Philosophers contains over 400 entries by nearly 300 authors, providing an account of philosophical thought in the United States and Canada between 1600 and 1860. The label “philosopher” has been broadly applied to intellectuals who made philosophical contributions regardless of academic career or professional title. Most figures were not academic philosophers, as few such positions existed then, but they did work on philosophical issues and explored philosophical questions involved in such fields as pedagogy, rhetoric, the arts, history, politics, economics, sociology, psychology, medicine, anthropology, religion, metaphysics, and the natural sciences. Each entry begins with biographical and career information, and continues with a discussion of the subject’s writings, teaching, and thought. 

Dictionary of Modern American Philosophers. 4 vols. Bristol: Thoemmes Continuum Press, 2005. Subject Editor for Realism, Naturalism, Phenomenology, and Process Philosophy.

The Dictionary of Modern American Philosophers includes both academic and non-academic philosophers. Each entry contains a short biography of the writer, an exposition and analysis of his or her doctrines and ideas, a bibliography of writings, and suggestions for further reading. While all the major post-Civil War philosophers are present, the most valuable feature of this dictionary is its coverage of a huge range of less well-known writers, including hundreds of presently obscure thinkers. In many cases, the Dictionary of Modern American Philosophers offers the first scholarly treatment of the life and work of certain writers. 

American New Realism 1910–1920. 3 vols. Bristol: Thoemmes Press, 2001.

In 1910, six young American philosophers came together to rebel against the hegemony of idealist philosophy. Later that year “The Program and First Platform of Six Realists” appeared in the Journal of Philosophy. In this article, the six vigorously attacked idealism and outlined a new philosophy. A lively debate ensued that not only brought realism back on the map but that also invigorated idealism itself. American New Realism 1910-1920 for the first time brings together the key papers of this debate. A total of 82 papers are included. They range from early responses to what came to be called “the new realism,” to detailed criticisms of the new realists’ more mature views as they were expressed in their second cooperative effort, the volume The New Realism, which appeared in 1912. American new realism mirrors in important respects the resurgence of realism in Great Britain. At the same time there are significant differences, due in part to the strong presence of pragmatism in American philosophy.

Writings of Charles S. Peirce: A Chronological Edition, Volume 9: 1892–1893. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, forthcoming (Associate Editor).

The long-awaited and still unpublished Volume 9 of the critical edition covers Peirce’s work from summer 1992 to summer 1993. It includes the “Critic of Arguments,” which he wrote for The Open Court and his “Reply to the Neccessitarians,” which appeared in The Monist. Both are supplemented with ample unpublished draft material. The volume also includes Peirce’s 1992 Lowell Lectures on the History of Science, as well as various book reviews for The Nation. Of special mention is a text the editors titled “Scientific Fallibilism,” which is reconstructed from several manuscript folders, and which has since been published in Matthew Moore’s anthology Charles S. Peirce: Philosophy of Mathematics (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2010).

Writings of Charles S. Peirce: A Chronological Edition, Volume 8: 1890–1892. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2012 (Associate Editor).

Volume 8 of this landmark edition follows Peirce from May 1890 through July 1892—a period of turmoil as his career unraveled at the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. The loss of his principal source of income meant the beginning of permanent penury and a lifelong struggle to find gainful employment. His key achievement during these years is his celebrated Monist metaphysical project, which consists of five classic articles on evolutionary cosmology. Also included are reviews and essays from The Nation in which Peirce critiques Paul Carus, William James, Auguste Comte, Cesare Lombroso, and Karl Pearson, and takes part in a famous dispute between Francis E. Abbot and Josiah Royce. Peirce’s short philosophical essays, studies in non-Euclidean geometry and number theory, and his only known experiment in prose fiction complete his production during these years.

Writings of Charles S. Peirce: A Chronological Edition, Volume 6: 1890–1892. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2000 (Assistant Editor).

Volume 6 of this landmark edition contains 66 writings mainly from the unsettled period in Peirce’s life just after he moved from New York to Milford, Pennsylvania, followed shortly afterward by the death of his mother. The writings in this volume reveal Peirce’s powerful mind probing into diverse issues, looking for an underlying unity, but, perhaps, also looking for direction.