Since the 17th century, the discussion in philosophy has been shaped by the concept of representation. Consciousness is compared to a mirror that reflects reality. Recognition strives for the accuracy of this reflection, and the work of recognition consists of examining, repairing, and polishing the mirror of nature. In a compelling and far-reaching critique of this metaphor, Richard Rorty provides an overview of its influence on 20th-century philosophy: a critical self-reflection of analytical philosophy that leads to the deconstruction of the mentioned metaphor. In the three parts of this book, Rorty discusses the concepts of the mental, knowledge, and philosophy from a historical perspective rooted in Dewey, Heidegger, and Wittgenstein.