Pragmatism

Pragmatism is a philosophical idea or thought that accepts a point of view only if it works or is proved. Those thoughts that are not practically viable are rejected. Charles Sanders Pierce opened up this school of thought in late nineteenth century. It was further broadened in early twentieth century by William Jones, John Dewey and George Santayana. Aspects like Radical empiricism, instrumentalism, verification, conceptual relativity, denial of fact value distinction and fallibilism form components of pragmatism.

The above mentioned pioneers were members of metaphysical club. Pragmatism was observed as a logical science. To distinguish beliefs from thoughts one has to inquire depending on doubt. The pragmatic maxim equates conception of object to conception of the object’s effects. The experimental arrival of the concept to confirmation or otherwise was apt to generate explanation and this is where Pragmatism lies.

Origins of Pragmetism:

Pierce himself was a mathematical logician and founder of Statistics. While subjecting pragmatism to conceivable tests, Pierce argued that theory should be integral to intelligent practice. Dewey viewed those mental and physical aspects for granted without realizing the nominal concepts were supposed to only help in solving problems. Early pragmatism found heavy influence from the works of Charles Darwin. Application of evolution to theory of knowledge was found even before pragmatism. In his biological idealism, Schopenhauer found that what a person believes need not be necessarily true. Knowledge and action are treated as two different entities with an absolute truth beyond inquiry.

Pragmatism argues that consequences suggest that good or evil in an action. Pragmatism is the current philosophy of the countries which are result oriented. Pragmatists have no standards to evaluate actions. There is no longer a god who rules the universe. Pantheism or monism replaces the position of a ruling god. Physical experiences teach us and knowledge becomes a lifelong activity. Truth is elusive based on our experiences and we have no access upon it. Pragmatism tests truth and its utility. Pragmatism does not care for sayings. It simply focuses on conclusions and results. Many philosophical arguments collapse when subjected to pragmatic tests.

Many of the so called truths are postulates that function to explain one’s experience. Societies differ in social conditions and morals differ accordingly. The existence of God only follows the use of such existence on man. The American educational system is based on pragmatism. Pragmatism is very much capable of pushing a country to the forefront in the global arena.

Questions:

• Who started the Pragmatism school of thought?
• What is meant by Pragmatism?