Classical Pragmatism Does Not Need an Upgrade: Lessons for Public Administration

Abstract

In 2003, Administration and Society published Patricia Shields's "The Community of Inquiry: Classical Pragmatism and Public Administration." Shortly thereafter, Hugh Miller responded with "Old Pragmatism Needs and Upgrade" in the Disputatio Sine Fine section of Administration & Society. He argued that scholars like Shields, Evans, and Snider should incorporate the ideas of Richard Rorty into their scholarship. Miller's article was followed by a series of 9 essays debating the merits of Dewey and Rorty for public administration. This article summarizes the debate and argues that Classical Pragmatism does not need an upgrade.