Rorty and Bernstein in Conversation: Where do Things Stand?

Abstract This essay seeks to clarify where things stand between Richard Bernstein and Richard Rorty, given the fact that both drew their philosophical inspiration in part from the work of John Dewey. Is Bernstein right that the disagreements over Dewey’s legacy are significant enough to matter? Is Rorty’s restrained and infrequent responses to Bernstein’s criticism’s an indication that any disagreements between them, from Rorty’s vantage point at least, make no difference that makes a difference? Or Is it the case, ultimately, that Bernstein is just another in a long line of what Bjorn Ramberg has termed the “demonizing” critics of Rorty?