American Phil For The Future
Quote from p. 352: "Philosophers need to take this questioning outside of the academy, and the public has to stop seeing such questioning as unpatriotic."
Is philosophy held back by academia?
What is democratic awakening?
Having met with John Roth once before, discuss questions we still have for him.
What is, our future?
On pg. 374, "...one is able to claim the “alternate facts” as correct until final evidence settled the matter."
Discuss what methods of resistance to this are successful.
What is the truth?
This favorite musical artist of McKenna has found subtle ways of calling for change, while keeping the party going
Who is Jimmy Buffett?
On pg. 193 we read, "So we beat on,"
In 2026 this looks like...
What is the rhythm?
Quote from p. 350: "Prophetic criticism, which is "partisan, partial, engaged and crisis-centered, yet always keeps open a skeptical eye..."
How can academic philosophy help the public become agents of change in their society?
Additionally, how can academic philosophy help the public engage in a more fluid skepticism?
What is engaged skepticism?
On the final page of, Saving the American Dream, finding our way is the responsibility of these people.
Who are We The People?
On page 374, Addams writes, “Everyone wants to be like his neighbors, which is doubtless an amiable quality, but leading to one of the chief dangers of democracy—the tyranny of the herd mind”
Discuss where we see this today, both sides of our political parties.
How does one resist this "instinct"?
This important theme of American Philosophies, argues that American Philosophy consists of many viewpoints stemming from a number of traditions and perspectives.
What is pluralism?
On pg. 175, we read a question posed by The New York Times, "How will Americans know when we have lost our democracy?"
Please discuss potential indicators.
Who is on the lookout?
Quote from p. 350: "West's prophetic pragmatism seeks to avoid "making criticism a fetish or democracy an idol."
How do we see the fetishism of criticism within the postmodern concept of echo chambers? Should we eradicate echo chambers as a means of preserving morality and community?
What is hatred on the internet?
Emily Dickinson's quote calls this thing, "the thing with feathers".
Written on page 373, "The America First slogan had a long history by 1927."
Discuss why these narrative continuously offer political success.
What is safety and security?
McKenna argues that American philosophy is best understood as an ongoing struggle among these:
Who are diverse communities seeking democratic inclusion, cultural survival, and social justice, rather than as a story told only through a small group of famous academic philosophers?
On pg. 173, Roth declares, "No part of the Constitution is more important than its Amendments."
If agree with this or not, please explain.
What is our Constitution's most important part?
Quote from p. 351: "A...consequence of an academic world that rewards specialized jargon over political engagement."
How does this relate to what we discussed in the Red Power chapter regarding language and meaning?
What is meaning?
She is the granddaughter of John Roth and the dedicatee of this book.
Who is Keeley Brooks?
What are the foreseeable and devastating consequences of post-truth (p. 375)?
Facts don't care about your feelings.
Resistance to domination is a reoccurring theme in American Philosophies, discuss ways we see this playing out today in America
What are the right ways to build?
Again on pg. 173, Roth writes, "...amendment is needed to save the American Dream."
Our U.S. Constitution currently has 27 Amendments, this 28th Amendment you would ratify, would evolve our American Dream.
What is, a great addition!
Quote from p. 370: "Pragmatic imagination..."
Is there a difference between pragmatic or purposeful imagining versus romanticization?
What is action?
On pg. 184, Roth writes that our top priority is to enrich life.
Discuss how your life could be enriched most effectively today.
What is stopping this from being real?
Quote from p. 380: "Even with these alternatives, though, fear is not unfounded."
How does fear act as a positive/negative catalyst for change? Real-world examples of this?
What is the fear of fear itself as error?
Pluralism, fallibilism and liberation are all a part of American Philosophy, discuss how we can do things confidently. and impactfuly, while maintaining these components of humility.
Who is this all for?
On pg. 182, we read from Paul Hunter, "...what is fragmented... may sometimes may have new life and be of use again."
Describe some fragmented parts of America today that could be of use again.
What doesn't end us makes us stronger?