Rescher then questioned the assumption that process thought is squarely on the Continental side. Process thought, he said, is so rich in content and ramifications that it sends its tentacles into all areas of philosophy. Analytic questions, therefore, also need to be asked. These have to do with the concept and nature of process, its variety, and its relation to time. Rescher illustrated this approach by differentiating between doctrines and programmatic approaches.
Doctrines are firm and definite, while the programmatic dimension is diffuse and generic.
He said, by analogy, that A. O. Lovejoy's critique of pragmatism had focused on doctrines and failed to acknowledge the equally important programmatic dimension. In process thought, he said, you can see family resemblances between Bergson, James, and Dewey, even though their doctrines may differ and their biological, psychological, and social models differ. Lively group discussion focused on the difficulties process thinkers find in attempts to bridge the two traditions of philosophy. Disclaimer and Privacy Policy .