Pragmatism as a Philosophy of Research
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
🔍 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
💡Action
💡Ontology
💡Epistemology
💡Truth
💡Charles Sanders Peirce
💡William James
💡John Dewey
💡Social Structures
💡Scientific Inquiry
💡Neopragmatism
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.
Transcripts
what is pragmatism
well when we look at its name we can
perhaps get a clue
pragmatism shares a root with words such
as pragmatic
practice and practical that is the greek
word pragma
meaning action in pragmatism our most
important touch point with external
reality can be held to be our
interaction with it
rather than our representing or
conceptualizing it
the ontology or view of reality in
pragmatism is framed through action
our experiences reality is warranted
assertions or understandings
that have been justified through
research and experimentation
in pragmatism value is placed on action
rather than fancy theory or strictly
philosophical musings
unlike some of the other philosophical
basis for research explored here
pragmatism's orientation to reality is
contested by its practitioners
while pragmatists generally oppose
cartesian duelist framings of reality
peers and followers hold a more limited
monistic view
of truth while james dewey and others
who you will learn about shortly hold
room for a variety of ways of
understanding what is real
the epistemological or knowledge focused
orientation of pragmatism
again centers around action knowledge is
understood to be built and modified
through actions and interactions of
people
truth is sought through scientific
inquiry and experimentation
even though the pragmatist acknowledges
the limitations of these processes
and the significant impact of social
structures and power on truth-making
however these active processes of
seeking truth are necessary
processes of learning and knowledge
building must be active
active methods of inquiry are important
as method and knowledge
impact upon and create each other in a
pragmatist
perspective pragmatism arose in the
united states in the late 1800s
charles sander pierce is considered to
be the granddaddy of pragmatism
having first articulated its central
tenets
peers together with his pal william
james first popularized the perspective
a central figure in pragmatism john
dewey
established a pragmatic theory of
knowledge
dewey stressed that when seeking
knowledge how accurate it is
is not the only consideration rather he
argued that
impact is a central concern what will it
do
who will it help do we drew the curved
line linking knowledge and practice in a
reciprocal loop
the one impacting the other
as a philosophy focused on results
pragmatism can also be judged by its
results
some figures who applied pragmatism in
its early heyday
were jane adams who translated
pragmatist ideals
into the new field of her invention
social work
as well george herbert mead shaped
approaches to social scientific research
through his application of pragmatism to
relations between
self and community while pragmatism has
existed steadily since its inception
its influence has been varied with
strong impacts in the heyday of its
initial spread
and then a rejuvenation of its impact in
the 1970s onward
with new sometimes termed neopragmatist
proponents including richard rorty
and hillary putnam as well as influence
on growing critical perspectives
including feminism ecology and race
theory
pragmatism has expanded well beyond the
us and is currently more alive and
thriving in areas of europe
south america and asia than in its
birthplace
you
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