Pragmatism

Pragmatism is a philosophical tradition that began in the United States around 1870. Its origins are often attributed to the philosophers Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and John Dewey. Pragmatism considers thought as an instrument or tool for prediction, problem solving and action, and rejects the idea that the function of thought is to describe, represent, or mirror reality.

History

Pragmatism as a philosophical movement began in the United States in the 1870s. Charles Sanders Peirce (and his pragmatic maxim) is given credit for its development, along with later twentieth century contributors, William James and John Dewey. The philosophy of pragmatism "emphasizes the practical application of ideas by acting on them to actually test them in human experiences".

Core tenets

Pragmatism, following Peirce, rejects the correspondence theory of truth and instead holds the view that truth is what would be agreed upon in the long run of inquiry by all who investigate. Pragmatism also rejects essentialism by considering existence to be constructed by thought and therefore subject to change. It sees no fundamental dichotomy between mind and body, subject and object, nature and nurture, cognition and behavior.

Influence

Pragmatism has been influential in many fields, including law, education, politics, and the social sciences. In law, for example, it has influenced the development of legal realism and the idea that law is not a fixed set of rules but a flexible tool for achieving social goals.

Criticism

Critics of pragmatism argue that it lacks a clear definition of truth and that its emphasis on practicality can lead to relativism or a disregard for principles. Some also argue that pragmatism's focus on the individual and the subjective can lead to a neglect of social and political issues.

See also

• Philosophy of science
• American philosophy
• Instrumentalism
• Fallibilism

References

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External links

• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on Pragmatism
• Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on Pragmatism

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