Pragmatism as a Philosophy of Research

Knowledge Quest

28 Mar 202104:02

Summary

TLDRPragmatism, rooted in the Greek word 'pragma' meaning action, emphasizes practicality and interaction with reality over abstract theorizing. It views knowledge as something built through experience and experimentation, with truth being a product of active inquiry. Originating in the late 1800s with Charles Sanders Peirce, pragmatism has evolved, influencing fields like social work and sociology. It has seen a resurgence since the 1970s, with proponents like Richard Rorty and Hillary Putnam, and has global influence in Europe, South America, and Asia.

Takeaways

🔍 **Pragmatism's Origin**: The term 'pragmatism' derives from the Greek word 'pragma', meaning action, highlighting its focus on practical application.
🌐 **Interaction with Reality**: Pragmatism emphasizes our interaction with external reality over mere representation or conceptualization.
🛠️ **Action-Oriented Ontology**: Pragmatism views reality through the lens of action, where experiences and understandings are justified through research and experimentation.
🏛️ **Value on Action**: Unlike some philosophies, pragmatism prioritizes practical action over abstract theory, focusing on what works in real-world scenarios.
🤔 **Contested Views on Reality**: While pragmatists generally oppose dualistic views of reality, there is a diversity of thought on the nature of truth within pragmatism.
🔬 **Epistemology through Action**: Knowledge in pragmatism is seen as constructed and modified through human actions and interactions.
🔍 **Truth and Scientific Inquiry**: Pragmatists seek truth through scientific methods, acknowledging the limitations and social influences on the process.
🌱 **Influence of Pragmatism**: Pragmatism originated in the U.S. in the late 1800s, with Charles Sanders Peirce as its founding figure.
🌟 **Pragmatism in Practice**: Figures like Jane Adams and George Herbert Mead applied pragmatism to fields like social work and social scientific research.
🌐 **Global Reach and Evolution**: Pragmatism has spread globally, with a resurgence in the 1970s and influence on critical perspectives like feminism, ecology, and race theory.

Q & A

What is the origin of the term 'pragmatism'?
-Pragmatism shares a root with words like 'pragmatic', 'practice', and 'practical', stemming from the Greek word 'pragma', which means action.
How does pragmatism define its interaction with external reality?
-In pragmatism, the most important touch point with external reality is through interaction with it, rather than merely representing or conceptualizing it.
What is the view of reality in pragmatism?
-The ontology or view of reality in pragmatism is framed through action, emphasizing experiences and warranted assertions that have been justified through research and experimentation.
How does pragmatism differ from other philosophical approaches in its orientation to reality?
-Pragmatism is contested by its practitioners, generally opposing Cartesian dualist framings of reality, while holding a more limited monistic view of truth compared to some other philosophical approaches.
Who are some key figures in the development of pragmatism?
-Charles Sanders Peirce is considered the founder of pragmatism, with William James helping to popularize it. John Dewey is another central figure who established a pragmatic theory of knowledge.
What is the epistemological orientation of pragmatism?
-The epistemological orientation of pragmatism centers around action, with knowledge being built and modified through the actions and interactions of people.
How does pragmatism view the process of seeking truth?
-Pragmatism seeks truth through scientific inquiry and experimentation, acknowledging the limitations of these processes and the impact of social structures and power on truth-making.
What role does action play in the pragmatist perspective?
-In pragmatism, action is crucial as it impacts and creates knowledge, with active methods of inquiry being important for learning and knowledge building.
How does pragmatism judge its own philosophy?
-Pragmatism can be judged by its results, focusing on the practical outcomes and impacts of its application, rather than just theoretical correctness.
What were some early applications of pragmatism?
-Early applications of pragmatism included Jane Adams' work in social work and George Herbert Mead's influence on social scientific research.
How has the influence of pragmatism evolved over time?
-Pragmatism has had varied influence, with strong impacts during its initial spread and a rejuvenation in the 1970s onward, influencing critical perspectives such as feminism, ecology, and race theory.
Where is pragmatism currently thriving?
-Pragmatism has expanded beyond the US and is currently thriving in areas of Europe, South America, and Asia, sometimes more so than in its birthplace.

Outlines

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🔍 Introduction to Pragmatism

Pragmatism is a philosophical approach that emphasizes action and interaction with reality over mere conceptualization. It is rooted in the Greek word 'pragma,' meaning action, and values practical knowledge gained through research and experimentation. Pragmatism opposes Cartesian dualism and offers a more monistic view of truth, acknowledging the influence of social structures on truth-making. Knowledge in pragmatism is seen as dynamic, built and modified through human actions and interactions. The philosophy was pioneered by Charles Sanders Peirce in the late 1800s in the United States, with William James and John Dewey further developing its principles. Dewey, in particular, emphasized the impact of knowledge and the reciprocal relationship between knowledge and practice. Pragmatism has been applied in various fields, including social work by Jane Adams and social scientific research by George Herbert Mead. Its influence has waxed and waned over time, with a resurgence in the 1970s and significant impact on critical perspectives like feminism, ecology, and race theory. Today, pragmatism is thriving in Europe, South America, and Asia.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Pragmatism

Pragmatism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes practicality and action as a means of understanding concepts, ideas, or objects. In the context of the video, it is described as focusing on the interaction with reality rather than just representing or conceptualizing it. Pragmatism is closely tied to the idea that truth and knowledge are derived from practical outcomes and experiences, as opposed to abstract theorizing.

💡Action

Action, as mentioned in the script, is central to pragmatism. It refers to the physical or practical engagement with the world, which is seen as the primary way of validating knowledge and understanding reality. The video suggests that pragmatism views reality through the lens of what can be done and how actions impact our understanding and interactions.

💡Ontology

Ontology, in the video, refers to the philosophical study of the nature of being or existence. Pragmatism frames its ontology through the concept of action, suggesting that what exists is understood in terms of how it can be interacted with and its practical implications.

💡Epistemology

Epistemology is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and scope of knowledge. In pragmatism, as explained in the video, knowledge is not static but is built and modified through actions and interactions. It emphasizes the process of learning and the impact of social structures on the construction of knowledge.

💡Truth

Truth, in the pragmatist view presented in the video, is not an absolute or fixed concept but is something that is continually tested and validated through practical application and experimentation. It is seen as something that evolves with our actions and experiences.

💡Charles Sanders Peirce

Charles Sanders Peirce is identified in the video as the founder of pragmatism. He is credited with first articulating the central tenets of the philosophy, which include the idea that the meaning of concepts is to be found in their practical application.

💡William James

William James is mentioned as a key figure who, along with Peirce, helped popularize pragmatism. The video suggests that James contributed to the development of pragmatism by emphasizing the psychological aspects of belief and the importance of experience.

💡John Dewey

John Dewey is highlighted as a central figure in pragmatism who established a pragmatic theory of knowledge. The video explains that Dewey stressed the impact of knowledge, arguing that the value of knowledge is not only in its accuracy but also in its practical application and the benefits it brings.

💡Social Structures

Social structures are mentioned in the context of their influence on the construction of truth within pragmatism. The video suggests that pragmatists acknowledge the role of social structures and power dynamics in shaping what is considered true or valid knowledge.

💡Scientific Inquiry

Scientific inquiry is presented in the video as a method for seeking truth in pragmatism. It involves systematic investigation and experimentation, which are seen as active processes necessary for learning and building knowledge.

💡Neopragmatism

Neopragmatism refers to a revival or updated version of pragmatism that emerged in the 1970s. The video mentions figures like Richard Rorty and Hilary Putnam who are associated with this movement, suggesting a continued evolution and application of pragmatist ideas in contemporary philosophy.

Highlights

Pragmatism shares a root with words like 'pragmatic', 'practice', and 'practical', emphasizing action.

In pragmatism, interaction with reality is more important than representing or conceptualizing it.

Pragmatism's ontology is framed through action, not just theoretical understanding.

Experiences and reality in pragmatism are justified through research and experimentation.

Pragmatism values action over theory, focusing on practical outcomes.

Pragmatists oppose Cartesian dualism and favor a monistic view of truth.

John Dewey and others hold room for various ways of understanding what is real.

Knowledge in pragmatism is built and modified through actions and interactions.

Truth is sought through scientific inquiry, acknowledging the limitations and social impacts.

Active methods of inquiry are crucial in the pragmatist perspective.

Pragmatism arose in the United States in the late 1800s with Charles Sanders Peirce.

William James helped popularize pragmatism.

John Dewey established a pragmatic theory of knowledge, focusing on impact and application.

Jane Adams applied pragmatist ideals to social work.

George Herbert Mead used pragmatism to shape social scientific research.

Pragmatism's influence has varied, with a strong impact in the 1970s onward.

Neopragmatist proponents like Richard Rorty and Hilary Putnam have emerged.

Pragmatism has influenced critical perspectives such as feminism, ecology, and race theory.

Pragmatism is thriving in Europe, South America, and Asia more than in its birthplace.