Pragmatism deriving from the same Greek word means action, it is a very big staple in philosophy. But you may find yourself asking; what does pragmatism truly mean? Pragmatism is a philosophic movement and tradition that promotes how useful the practicality of ideas policies and proposals is. Viewing language and thought as the key answers to problem solving and action, rather than just describing reality as many philosophic theories do.
Furthermore, pragmatism emphasizes the practical consequences of ideas as the key to their meaning and value. Rather than focusing on abstract theories or single truths, pragmatism asks; "What works?" and "What difference would it make if this idea were true?" Rooted in action (as stated before, pragmatism is translated to action) and results, it values thought and language as tools for solving real-world problems. Pioneered by philosophers like William James, pragmatism encourages open-mindedness, flexibility, and the rejection of dogma in favor of usefulness and lived experience.
WJ starts the chapter on Pragmatism with a question, if there is a squirrel on a tree and a man trying to catch a glimpse of the squirrel yet every time he runs around the tree the squirrel goes around even faster and puts the tree between them, then did the man ever go around the squirrel? Personally, when presented this question I would say no, the man never did go around the squirrel since he never once fully went around without the squirrel moving for him not to. Yet, William James further states that idea is both correct and incorrect. Explaining that the correct answer just depends on your point of view, since if you view going around the squirrel as being north than east than south than west then north again technically that would be going fully around the squirrel. Honestly this reminds me of how people see a glass of water with half of its contents missing, is it a glass half full or half empty? Depends on the person who is being asked.
Willaim further explains of the 'PRAGMATIC METHOD' which he explains, "The pragmatic method is primarily a method of settling metaphysical disputes that otherwise might be interminable. Is the world one or many? —fated or free? —material or spiritual?" Explaining that disputes like this are never ending since as explained before, both sides are right and wrong. The pragmatic method is to discern which answer would have what practically to anyone if right or wrong. Thus, trying to aid in picking which answer is practically right if one has none. I find this way of thinking to be very productive, yes, it is subjective, and I feel would invalidate a person's feelings, but also if you're willing to go that far to defend your statement.
The pragmatic method has been around for ages, nothing about it was groundbreakingly new when it was first popularized in the 1900's. As said prior, Pragmatism dates all the way back to ancient Greece, it is said that Socrates was an avid user as well as Aristotle. That being said the forerunners of pragmatism only used it in fragments, and that it's only been generalized in our time, Willaim James explains that because of this he wants to inspire belief of pragmatism in the people reading, and I would be a liar if I said that I was not inspired a bit.
"Pragmatism represents a perfectly familiar attitude in philosophy, the empiricist attitude, but it represents it, as it seems to me, both in a more radical and in a less objectionable form than it has ever yet assumed." Willaim James starts in the ninth paragraph; a true pragmatic turns his back upon all inveterate habits that so many philosophers find themselves stuck in. You turn your back from
abstraction and insufficiency, from verbal solutions, from bad prior reasoning and fixed principles. From turning away from closed principles towards action and fact, seeing as without being pragmatic it feels you would just be very closed minded, stuck in your own ways without any other side of information. Willaim James paints pragmatism beautifully, "It means the open air and possibilities of nature, as against dogma, artificiality and the pretense of finality in truth." I feel this is what truly attracts me to pragmatism, to ignore all stigma and focus on the truth no matter how it affects people because I feel knowing the truth is a privilege all should have, or at least that's how I am choosing to interpret his words.
I really like this image of pragmatism I found, I feel it describes it well. The search for ideas and truth, through action, having a lit lightbulb as bait for the unlit ones, promoting the idea that thought is a tool used to expand ideas for practicality. But having to be able to even start you have to remove yourself from all artificiality such as the lady in the image, I feel this is shown by portraying her high in the clouds above it all.
Following this link I have found a video that personally I think helps explain pragmatism to a wider audience very well, this video also is able to teach people who are already familiar with this less popular philosophy. The video helps simplify by stating unlike many other philosophies, more so a tool/method in which you can solve problems yourself. Connecting back to pragmatisms' root, leading all the way to ancient Greece, the word is derived and translated to action. Pragmatism at is core is there to acknowledge both sides and help you discover the truth the best suits you.
Presentation Audio
You weren't supposed to make a separate blog, just a post on ours.
ReplyDeleteYou didn't take the last exam, did you?