A History of Philosophy in America: 1720–2000 by Bruce Kuklick, published in 2002 by Oxford University Press, offers a comprehensive overview of the development of philosophical thought in the United States over nearly three centuries. Spanning from the colonial period to the end of the 20th century, the book traces the evolution of American philosophy through its major figures, schools, and cultural contexts, emphasizing its interplay with religion, politics, and social changes. Kuklick organizes the narrative into three main periods—1720 to the Civil War, 1865 to the 1930s, and 1940 to 2000—while focusing on key themes such as the tension between speculative philosophy and practical concerns, the influence of theology, and the impact of European ideas on American thinkers. Rather than providing an exhaustive survey, Kuklick selects representative figures and movements to illustrate broader trends, offering a critical yet accessible account that highlights the distinctive character of American philosophy.

In the first period (1720–1865), Kuklick examines the dominance of Protestant theology in shaping early American thought, particularly through figures like Jonathan Edwards, whose Calvinist metaphysics blended religious fervor with philosophical rigor, addressing issues of free will and divine sovereignty. Edwards’ work, rooted in Puritanism, set the stage for a speculative tradition that grappled with moral and metaphysical questions. The Enlightenment’s influence is evident in the rationalism of thinkers like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, who applied Lockean and Scottish Common Sense philosophy to political and ethical issues, laying intellectual foundations for the American Revolution. Kuklick notes the establishment of philosophy as an academic discipline in colleges, where it often served to reinforce religious orthodoxy.

The second period (1865–1930s) marks the professionalization of philosophy and the rise of pragmatism, America’s most original contribution to global philosophy. Kuklick focuses on the “golden age” of American thought, spotlighting Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and John Dewey. Peirce’s pragmaticism emphasized logic and scientific inquiry, while James adapted pragmatism to explore truth as a function of practical consequences, bridging philosophy with psychology. Dewey’s instrumentalism extended pragmatism into social and educational reform, emphasizing democracy and experiential learning. Kuklick also discusses the influence of German idealism, particularly through the St. Louis Hegelians, and the emergence of idealism at Harvard under Josiah Royce, who sought to reconcile individual freedom with communal values. Meanwhile, the Social Gospel movement and thinkers like Thorstein Veblen reflected philosophy’s engagement with social issues, though academic philosophy began to diverge from public concerns.

The third period (1940–2000) explores the shift toward analytic philosophy and its dominance in American academia. Kuklick examines how logical positivism, imported by European émigrés like Rudolf Carnap, and the linguistic turn, exemplified by Willard Van Orman Quine, reshaped philosophical inquiry to focus on language, logic, and epistemology. Quine’s critique of the analytic-synthetic distinction and his naturalistic approach marked a turning point, while figures like Wilfrid Sellars and Donald Davidson further refined analytic methods. Kuklick also covers the resurgence of pragmatism through Richard Rorty, whose Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature challenged foundationalism and advocated a conversational, pluralistic approach to philosophy. The period saw tensions between analytic philosophy’s technical focus and alternative movements like existentialism, phenomenology, and postmodernism, though these remained marginal in American academia. Kuklick notes the growing insularity of professional philosophy, which became less accessible to the public, contrasted with the continued influence of thinkers like John Rawls, whose A Theory of Justice applied philosophical rigor to questions of political fairness.

Throughout, Kuklick underscores the interplay between philosophy and American culture, particularly its religious roots and democratic ethos. He argues that American philosophy often oscillated between speculative depth and practical application, shaped by the nation’s unique social and political environment. The book also critiques the increasing specialization of philosophy, which distanced it from broader societal concerns by the late 20th century. Kuklick’s approach is selective, focusing on major figures like Edwards, Emerson, James, Dewey, Quine, and Rorty, while acknowledging lesser-known contributors and institutional developments, such as the role of universities like Harvard and Chicago. The text includes a bibliography for further reading and is praised for its clarity, historical insight, and balanced analysis, making it a valuable resource for students, scholars, and general readers interested in the intellectual history of American philosophy. Reviews highlight its engaging style and ability to contextualize philosophical ideas within broader cultural trends, though some note its selective focus omits certain figures or movements.