John Lachs, one of American philosophy's most distinguished
interpreters, turns to William James, Josiah Royce, Charles S. Peirce,
John Dewey, and George Santayana to elaborate stoic pragmatism, or a way
to live life within reasonable limits. Stoic pragmatism makes sense of
our moral obligations in a world driven by perfectionist human ambition
and unreachable standards of achievement. Lachs proposes a corrective to
pragmatist amelioration and stoic acquiescence by being satisfied with
what is good enough. This personal, yet modest, philosophy offers
penetrating insights into the American way of life and our human
character.