Welcome!
Welcome to the Society for the Advancement of American Philosophy (SAAP). SAAP exists to advance American philosophy by promoting interest and research in its history, encouraging original and creative work in its spirit, and providing forums for the exchange of information and ideas.
This site includes information about SAAP's history, current activities, and requirements for membership. Explore the above menu to see what SAAP has to offer. New members from all disciplines and backgrounds are welcome.
Connect...
...to graduate programs in philosophy with opportunities for coursework and degrees on American philosophy. See our resources page, here.
Listen...
... to one of philosophy's most preeminent scholars, John J. McDermott, discuss what is is perhaps America's most distinctive contribution to philosophy: pragmatism. Click here. (Streaming audio, 54 minutes.)
All our progress is an unfolding, like the vegetable bud. You have first
an instinct, then an opinion, then a knowledge, as the plant has root,
bud, and fruit. Trust the instinct to the end, though you can render no
reason. It is vain to hurry it. By trusting it to the end, it shall ripen
into truth, and you shall know why you believe.
R.W. Emerson, from "Intellect" (Essays: First Series, 1847)