Professor Richard Rorty

Several years ago I wrote professor Rorty an email expressing my gratitude and thanks for his book Philosophy and Social Hope. At the time I was struggling to complete my MA thesis while working fulltime as an addictions counsellor with the homeless. About a week passed, and when I opened my email I saw a message from professor Rorty. I was overcome with joy and a sense of deepest honour. His kind inspiring words encouraged me to push forward with my thesis, remembering as I did that philosophy can be used as a tool, and most importantly, as a way to encourage and help others achieve their goals. I will forever be indebted to professor Rorty, not only for his unwavering commitment to philosophy, literature and humanism, but for taking the time to write a struggling graduate student, making him feel, for perhaps a brief moment, important and acknowledged.