Download Introduction to Pragmatism and more Lecture notes Philosophy in PDF only on Docsity!
Pragmatism:
Pragmatism is a method of philosophizing, often identified as a theory of meaning. It was first stated by Charles Pierce in 1870’s. Primarily, it was revived as a theory of truth by William James. It was further developed, expanded and disseminated by John Dewey and F.C.S Schiller.
At the outset, Pragmatism was considered as method for the meaning of beliefs, ideas, and use of language. Roughly, the purpose of this method is to ascertain and formulate the distinct empirical consequences that result from using, experimenting with, and acting upon a given idea in given circumstances. These resulting consequences indicate the meaning of given idea. In other words, the formulation of these consequences is the schema or translation of the meaning of idea or its pragmatic significance.
Against Absolute Idealism:
Pragmatism is a Method and Criticism:
Philosophy for the sake of life not vice versa:
Origin of Pragmatism: Charles Sanders Peirce (1839-1914)
Kant’s distinction b/w:
(1) Laws of Morality—a priori—which are practical laws
(2) Experiential rules of skill & Technique of Art–Pragmatic
Pierce & meaning of Ideas:
Pragmatic Principle for Meaning of a concept:
Meaning of a Proposition:
Intermediary role of action:
Meaning of Reality and Truth:
Sole of purpose of scientific Inquiry:
Pragmatism of William James: (1842-1910)
Reality of particular sensible experience:
Extension and narrowness of Pierce Principle:
Scientific method:
Distinction of thought:
Will to believe:
Function of epistemology:
Experience is self-contained & self-sustaining reality:
Idea as function of meaning:
Idea as substitute for real experience
Truth and meaning of Idea
Truth of idea lies in its practicality
Verifying process
We cannot reach absolute truth
But degrees modifiable truths
Degrees of satisfaction
Anti intellectualist
Extension of empiricism
Theory of Meliorism
Instrumentalism of John Dewey (1859-1952)
Concepts and theories as instruments
According to pierce:
James:
Schiller:
Dewey:
Pierce theory of inquiry:
What is pragmatism?
It is difficult to give a clear-cut definition of pragmatism for two reasons:
- It is not a system but a philosophical attitude (approach),
- It is by different motives in different exponents.
Precisely, Pragmatism is a criticism and method rather than a systematic philosophy.
For pragmatist philosopher, philosophy must be related to human life and it must have practical implications for human life. Our concepts must be working hypothesis whose truth implies their empirical verification. It means that our concepts are true, if they are practically workable. Because our life is full of different serious problems, therefore we should not indulge in barren intellectual pursuits. Rather our intellect must be connected to the service of action. Our knowledge must be used as means to the ends of life. In short, pragmatism holds that philosophy must exist for the sake of life and not life for the sake of philosophy.
Introduction:
Pragmatism is a method of philosophizing, often identified as a theory of meaning. It was first stated by Charles Pierce in 1870’s. Primarily, it was revived as a theory of truth by William James. It was further developed, expanded and disseminated by John Dewey and F.C.S Schiller.
Pragmatism is a method of philosophizing as well as a theory of meaning which was originated as a strong reaction against Hegel’s absolute idealism. It was started by Pierce in 1970’s and was primarily revived as theory of truth by W. James. Then, it was further developed, expanded, and disseminated by John Dewey and F.C Schiller. Although each of these pragmatists expressed different aspect or kind of pragmatism, yet their common concern was with practical aspect of daily life. They agree that there must be a close connection between thinking and doing. Thus a behavior without thought lacks important ingredient.
Purpose of Pragmatism:
Its purpose was to bridge/mediate a gulf between two divergent tendencies. On one side, there was influence of science, empiricism, and utilitarianism which give primacy to matter over mind. On the other hand, there was a rational and idealistic view which gives priority to mind over matter. Science rejects idealism (knowledge is based on idea) and rationalism (knowledge is based on reason) because they lack objective (empirical) evidence. Whereas idealism and rationalism rejects science because it horribly threatens human morality and religion which provided us a sense of purpose and reason for expending energies. Pragmatism took significantly essential aspects from both sides and combined them. For example, it took pluralistic approach to knowledge (which means there is no objective truth, or we know things from many perspectives) from empirical tradition and it also accepted moral and religious values which are significant for human experience. Thus, Pragmatism accepts or rejects the science or metaphysics (religions etc) on the basis of what difference they make in our conduct or life if we accept them. It means pragmatism focuses on practical consequences for the truth of an idea or theory, no matter this theory may be scientific or metaphysical. Therefore, pragmatism tries to couple claims of science
with human beliefs and volition. In short, pragmatism is an attempt to unify realms of fact (science) and value (philosophy) on the basis their practical consequences.
Pragmatism as a reaction against Hegel’s Absolute Idealism:
Primarily pragmatism originated as a strong reaction against Hegel’s absolute idealism—his monistic philosophy and conception of a world of static perfection. Unlike Hegel’s purely logical approach, pragmatism is human approach. For pragmatism, absolute idealism is a monument of artificiality. Being unreal, it is beyond imagination and concrete personal experience. Unlike absolutism, pragmatism focuses on the change temporality, change, plurality and indeterminism. In short, pragmatism is anti-absolutism, which agrees all other contemporary anti-absolutist philosophies.
Origin of pragmatism: Charles Sanders Peirce (1839-1914)
American scientist and Logician, Peirce was the founder of pragmatism who derived term pragmatism from Kant’s distinction between
- Laws of morality which are practical and
- Rules of art and skill which are pragmatic
Ignoring practical laws of morality, Peirce became interested in pragmatic art and skill of real thinking. And then he used his pragmatic method for clearness of ideas and definition scientifically. Rejecting conceptual meaning of ideas, he tried to give meaning to ideas on the basis of their sensible effects what these ideas create. For Peirce ideas are working hypothesis or prescriptions for experiment which have received their meaning from their empirical effects. Their meanings are description of experimental phenomena. Peirce identifies meaning with future and makes them general by saying that meaning of proposition becomes applicable to human conduct under every situation and applicable to every purpose. Thus, he emphasizes the universality of concepts in the realm of experience and purpose.
Despite the importance of action in his theory, Peirce gives primacy to sensible effects or particular interests over actions. For Peirce role of action is that of intermediary which possibly generalizes in us rational tendencies or habits.
According to Peirce, meanings of the terms ‘reality’ or ‘truth’ depends upon their practical consequences or sensible effects. These effects produce our beliefs which are rational purport for the term reality.
Peirce says that purpose of scientific inquiry to pass from a state of doubt to a state of settled belief. In other words, purpose of scientific inquiry is fixation of beliefs or settlement of opinion by consensus of opinion among qualified investigators. To fix our belief about objective Reality we should secure agreement of all the investigators. Then Reality will mean object of those fixed beliefs about which consensus of opinion has been secured after a prolonged inquiry and truth means quality of these beliefs.
Pragmatism of William James (1842-1910)
Unlike Peirce who focused on reality of ‘generals’, William James focused on the reality of particular sensible experience (Nominalism). Though Peirce himself disagreed with James’s pragmatism, James accepted the Peirce basic principle that “our beliefs are rules for action”. Our thought distinctions are due to possible difference of practice. We conceived objects according to their sensible effects on us. On the
1. Protecting the real nature of lived experience
against rationalism and scientific materialism.
2. Taking ideas as essentially connected with
voluntary actions.
3. Faith is necessary for any practical
achievement of truth.
However, pragmatic approach to nature of
knowledge raised serious concern over:
1. Whether pragmatism is any sort of realism,
conventionalism, and relativism or just
subjectivism.
2. Whether pragmatism’s affection for
pluralism is compatible with the notions of
independent reality or absolute truth. These
two issues are deeply connected; b/c
science’s claim to dictate the nature of all
reality would severely threaten lived
experience with reductionism, determinism,
and atheism.
3. What is permanently true reveals itself as
useful in long run.
4. Some refused to connect true with
practical seriously that pragmatism is a
resurgence of Anglo-Saxon utilitarianism
and hedonism that has regrettably
overflowed into metaphysics and
epistemology.
5. For French philosophers, mind’s proper
function is to apprehend truth as
correspondence with its object and that
reason cannot be subservient to practical
needs of body
6. Other typical objections are to associate
pragmatism with nominalism,
psychologism, free will, voluntarism,
relativism subjectivism, and skepticism.
7. James was condemned by Catholicism to
reduce God into human concepts and
desires. But religion should be based on
