One of the most important concepts in Richard Rorty’s philosophy is that of final vocabularies. For Rorty, final vocabularies are the set of terms, descriptions, and concepts through which individuals make sense of their world, define their identities, and express their most deeply held beliefs. These vocabularies are considered “final” not because they are eternal or unchanging, but because they represent the current limits of an individual’s ability to express meaning.
A final vocabulary is the set of words and phrases that a person uses to describe themselves, their values, and their place in the world. These vocabularies are called “final” because, in any given moment, they are the most authoritative set of terms an individual can use to articulate their understanding of reality. However, Rorty insists that even final vocabularies are contingent—shaped by historical, cultural, and personal circumstances—and always open to revision.
Rorty argues that final vocabularies are contingent, meaning that they are not rooted in any absolute or universal truths. Rather, they emerge from the specific historical and cultural contexts in which an individual is situated. This means that final vocabularies are temporary and adaptable; they reflect the current state of a person’s understanding but may change as new experiences, ideas, and vocabularies are encountered.
Rorty introduces the concept of the ironist as someone who is deeply aware of the contingency of their final vocabulary. An ironist understands that their most cherished beliefs and values are not grounded in universal truths but are provisional and subject to change. This awareness allows the ironist to maintain a certain intellectual flexibility, always open to the possibility that their current final vocabulary could be revised or replaced in light of new experiences or conversations.
For Rorty, an individual’s identity is closely tied to their final vocabulary. The terms that people use to describe themselves—their beliefs, values, and affiliations—are central to how they understand who they are. However, because final vocabularies are contingent, Rorty suggests that identity is also fluid and open to change. People are constantly reshaping their sense of self as they revise the vocabularies through which they interpret their place in the world.
Although final vocabularies provide individuals with a sense of coherence and stability, they are ultimately fragile. This fragility arises from the fact that they are contingent and subject to revision. When a final vocabulary is challenged—either by new experiences, shifting cultural contexts, or encounters with alternative vocabularies—individuals may find themselves questioning the very foundations of their beliefs and identity.
One of the ways individuals can respond to the contingency and fragility of their final vocabularies is through a process Rorty calls redescription. Redescription involves finding new ways to describe one’s beliefs, values, and experiences, often by adopting new vocabularies or reinterpreting old ones. For Rorty, this process is essential for intellectual and moral growth, as it allows people to expand their understanding of the world and adapt to new situations.
Rorty’s concept of final vocabularies has been subject to critique, particularly by those who argue that it leads to relativism. Critics suggest that if all vocabularies are contingent and subject to revision, it becomes difficult to make stable moral or political commitments. Without a foundation for truth or justice, some fear that final vocabularies offer no reliable guide for action or ethical judgment.
Rorty’s concept of final vocabularies also has significant implications for political and ethical thinking. If all vocabularies are contingent, then political and ethical debates should not be about discovering universal truths but about finding shared vocabularies that allow people to cooperate and achieve common goals. For Rorty, the task of politics is to build solidarity by creating vocabularies that foster empathy and understanding, rather than appealing to objective moral principles.
For Rorty, final vocabularies are both powerful and fragile. They shape individuals’ identities, guide their ethical and political commitments, and provide a framework for making sense of the world. However, they are always contingent—subject to revision as new experiences and vocabularies emerge. The ironist, aware of this contingency, remains open to the possibility of reimagining their final vocabulary, embracing the ongoing process of redescription as a means of intellectual and moral growth.
For more on how final vocabularies influence identity and politics, see: