For a good part of the 20th century, the classic Pragmatists-Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and John Dewey-and pragmatism in general were largely ignored by analytic philosophers. They were said to hold such untenable views as whatever best satisfies our needs is true and that the end justifies the means. Despite a recent revival of interest in these figures, spurred largely by the work of Richard Rorty, it is not uncommon to continue to hear claims that pragmatism is a subjectivist, anti-realist position that denies that there is a mind-independent world, and fails to place objective constraints on inquiry. In this book, Robert Schwartz dispels these traditional views by examining the empiricist and constructivist orientation of the classic pragmatists. Based on updated and expanded versions of his influential papers, as well as a number of previously unpublished essays, in this book Schwartz demonstrates the relevance of pragmatic thought to a wide range of issues beyond concerns over truth and realism that currently dominate discussions. The individual essays elaborate and defend pragmatic, instrumentalist, and constructivist conceptions of truth and inquiry, moral discourse and ethical statements, perception, art, and worldmaking. Pragmatic Perspectives will appeal to scholars interested in the history of American philosophy and pragmatic approaches to contemporary issues in analytic philosophy.

For a good part of the 20th century, the classic Pragmatists-Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and John Dewey-and pragmatism in general were largely ignored by analytic philosophers. They were said to hold such untenable views as whatever best satisfies our needs is true and that the end justifies the means. Despite a recent revival of interest in these figures, spurred largely by the work of Richard Rorty, it is not uncommon to continue to hear claims that pragmatism is a subjectivist, anti-realist position that denies that there is a mind-independent world, and fails to place objective constraints on inquiry. In this book, Robert Schwartz dispels these traditional views by examining the empiricist and constructivist orientation of the classic pragmatists. Based on updated and expanded versions of his influential papers, as well as a number of previously unpublished essays, in this book Schwartz demonstrates the relevance of pragmatic thought to a wide range of issues beyond concerns over truth and realism that currently dominate discussions. The individual essays elaborate and defend pragmatic, instrumentalist, and constructivist conceptions of truth and inquiry, moral discourse and ethical statements, perception, art, and worldmaking. Pragmatic Perspectives will appeal to scholars interested in the history of American philosophy and pragmatic approaches to contemporary issues in analytic philosophy.

In the economic atmosphere following the crisis of 2008, not only have governments reacted by creating more complex policy initiatives, but they have also promised that all of these initiatives will be evaluated. Due to the complexity of many of the initiatives, the ways of evaluating are becoming equally complex. The book begins with a theoretical and conceptual explanation of the process and shows how this translates into the practice of evaluation. The chapters cover a wide variety of subjects, such as poverty, homelessness, smoking prevention, HIV/AIDS, and child labor. The use of case studies sheds light on the conceptual ideas at work in organizations addressing some of the world's largest and most varied problems. The evaluation process seeks a balance between order and chaos. The interaction of four elements'simplicity, inventiveness, flexibility, and specificity allows complex patterns to emerge. The case studies illustrate this framework and provide a number of examples of practical management of complexity, in light of contingency theories of the evaluation process itself. These theories in turn match the complexity of evaluated policies, strategies, and programs. The evaluation process is examined for its impact on policy outcomes and choices.

In the economic atmosphere following the crisis of 2008, not only have governments reacted by creating more complex policy initiatives, but they have also promised that all of these initiatives will be evaluated. Due to the complexity of many of the initiatives, the ways of evaluating are becoming equally complex.

The book begins with a theoretical and conceptual explanation of the process and shows how this translates into the practice of evaluation. The chapters cover a wide variety of subjects, such as poverty, homelessness, smoking prevention, HIV/AIDS, and child labor. The use of case studies sheds light on the conceptual ideas at work in organizations addressing some of the world's largest and most varied problems.

The evaluation process seeks a balance between order and chaos. The interaction of four elements--simplicity, inventiveness, flexibility, and specificity--allows complex patterns to emerge. The case studies illustrate this framework and provide a number of examples of practical management of complexity, in light of contingency theories of the evaluation process itself. These theories in turn match the complexity of evaluated policies, strategies, and programs. The evaluation process is examined for its impact on policy outcomes and choices.

"Your Soul's Plan "explores the provocative premise that we are all eternal souls who plan our lives, including our greatest challenges, "before we are born "for the purpose of spiritual growth. Through compelling profiles of people who knowingly planned experiences such as AIDS and cancer, parenting handicapped children, deafness, blindness, drug addiction, alcoholism, losing a loved one, and severe accidents, this book shows that suffering is not purposeless, but imbued with deep meaning. Working with four of the country's most gifted mediums, author Robert Schwartz reveals the significance of each individual's soul plan and allows us a fascinating look into the "other side."
Each personal story focuses on a specific life challenge, organized by type for easy reference. Accessible both to those familiar with the metaphysical aspects of spirituality and to the general reader, the moving narratives that comprise "Your Soul's Plan "help readers awaken to the reality that they are transcendent, eternal souls. With this stirring book as a guide, feelings of anger, resentment, guilt, and victimization are healed and replaced by acceptance, forgiveness, peace, and gratitude.

In his groundbreaking first book, Your Soul's Plan: Discovering the Real Meaning of the Life You Planned Before You Were Born, Robert Schwartz brought the idea of pre-birth planning into the mainstream. Now, his compelling sequel delves even deeper. With detailed discussion and the deeply personal stories of his interviewees, Schwartz offers an incredible guide map to the soul and encourages his readers to heal at a profound level. Through complex ideas such as the development of greater self-love, an emergence from victim consciousness, and understanding the qualities you came into this lifetime to cultivate and express, Schwartz bestows practical and spiritual gifts that will help his readers to overcome some of life's most difficult crises and turning points. Through the stories in Your Soul's Gift you can: develop greater self-love as you become aware of the tremendous courage it takes for you to plan a life on Earth and to live the life you planned emerge from victim consciousness to know yourself as the powerful creator of your life forgive those who have hurt you and create a lasting inner peace

Could it be that we chose our lifes circumstances, relationships, and events? Within these pages are stories of ten individuals who like us- planned before birth to experience great challenges. Working with four gifted mediums and channels, author R. Schwartz discovers what they chose and why. This is a deeply insightful guide as to why our lives unfold as they do and how to direct them to a deeper place.

In his groundbreaking first book, Your Soul's Plan, Robert Schwartz brought the idea of pre-birth planning into the mainstream. Now, his brilliant sequel Your Soul's Gift delves even deeper by exploring the pre-birth planning of spiritual awakening, miscarriage and abortion, caregiving, abusive relationships, sexuality, incest, adoption, poverty, suicide, rape, and mental illness. Working with a team of gifted mediums, Schwartz brings forth great love and wisdom from the other side to explain why such experiences are planned and the deep, soul-level healing they can create.Through the stories in Your Soul s Gift you can: -Develop greater self-love as you become aware of the tremendous courage it takes for you to plan a life on Earth and to live the life you planned-Emerge from victim consciousness to know yourself as the powerful creator of your life-Forgive those who have hurt you and create a lasting inner peace-Understand the qualities you came into this lifetime to cultivate and express-See profound purpose in experiences that once appeared to be meaningless suffering-Develop a heartfelt knowing of your infinite worth, beauty, magnificence, and sacredness as an eternal soul."This book is an incredible guide map to your soul and the various jewels stored inside it. Read this to reconnect with your TRUE SELF." --James Van Praagh, author of Growing Up in Heaven"Robert Schwartz offers deep wisdom into the nature of our soul and the purpose of our lives. He explains life and karma with clarity and elegance."--Arielle Ford, author of The Soulmate Secret"I was deeply impressed by Your Soul's Gift. This is a fine discussion of one of the great mysteries of existence: To what degree do we plan our lives before we are born? Robert Schwartz offers a profound spiritual analysis of some of life s most difficult crises and turning points. This book is well worth reading for its novel and surprising insights into the difficulties most of us face in life."--Raymond Moody, MD, PhD, author of Life After LifeAwardsWinner, 2013 Beverly Hills Book Awards, New Age NonfictionFinalist, 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, New AgeSilver Medal Winner, 2013 Excellence eLit Awards, New Age/Mind-Body-SpiritSilver Medal Winner, 2013 Living Now Book Awards, MetaphysicalFinalist, 2012 Readers Favorite Book Awards, Nonfiction Self-HelpIn a personal session with a medium in 2003, author Robert Schwartz was astonished to speak with nonphysical beings who knew everything about him - not just what he had done in life, but also what he had thought and felt. They told him that he had planned many of his most difficult experiences before he was born. Realizing that a knowledge of pre-birth planning would bring great healing to people and allow them to understand the deeper purpose of their life challenges, he decided to devote his life to the study of pre-birth planning. The extraordinary insights that have emerged from his work speak to our heartfelt, universal yearning to know . . . why.Robert Schwartz is a certified regression therapist who offers spiritual guidance and Past Life and Between Lives Soul Regressions to help people understand their life plan. For more information please visit him online at www.yoursoulsplan.com.