The Dark Years?

“As a prophetic voice among leftists, Richard Rorty foresaw how the ‘culture wars’ polarized and paralyzed democratic politics. Jacob Goodson offers a sympathetic account of Rorty’s sincere regrets over the ‘academic Left’ and its focus on identity politics rather than capitalism’s victims. During the 1990s, Rorty predicted America’s descent into tribalism, a ‘strongman’ president, mass violence, a second Great Depression, and capitalism’s disbanding of democracy. This book must be read by anyone hoping that philosophy can re-awaken to its responsibility for our collective welfare.”


—John Shook, University at Buffalo, New York





“Certainly scholars will find Jacob Goodson’s The Dark Years? is a provocative reading that brings together insights regarding Richard Rorty’s philosophy of religion and political philosophy in novel ways. However, this work does so much more! As a meditation on the significance of hope—even when hope appears in its most melancholic timbre—Goodson provides readers a vision of political imagination that goes beyond simplistic trust in contemporary politics or rejection of civic participation.”


—Adam Pryor, Bethany College





“The most comprehensive and insightful treatment to date of ‘the philosopher who predicted Trump,’ this timely and important book speaks to vital issues of our day—populism, authoritarianism, neoliberalism, hope and fear, sympathy and shame. In lively prose, Goodson interprets Rorty’s prophetic writings on religion and politics as charting a course for America to exit its dark years, revealing an undiscovered Rorty committed to a Christian love ethic of charity and justice.”


—Chris Voparil, Union Institute & University





“Goodson’s adept and prophetic critique of Rorty’s predictions of ‘the dark years’ moves beyond Rorty’s far future focus on ‘social hope’ to advocate a rejection of neo-liberalism in favor of a much-needed melancholic, pedagogical, and redemptive hope in the here and now.”


—Ann W. Duncan, Center for Geographies of Justice, Goucher College