2007-03-20 06:27:34 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
The highest ideal of pragmatism is what works to produce real, effective results. Pragmatism has a very empirical bent - they don't want results in the form of potential or concept or appropriateness... just what they can see and touch and roll around in. Everything else is more or less unimportant.
For example, a pragmatist doesn't much care if something is RIGHT, as long as it WORKS. A total pragmatist would even adopt ideas and ethics that are completely out of line with reality if it produced better outcomes. The mere fact that something works is enough to make it true... there mere fact that something doesn't work is enough to make it untrue.
For example, a pragmatist seeking points on Yahoo!Answers would try to respond to questions not in a way that is correct, but in the way that gives him the most best answers. So if answering 'Squid kiesters!' to your question does that, then that's what he's going to do. Even if it really has nothing to with your question.
2007-03-20 08:17:56 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thinking about solving problems in a practical and sensible way rather than by having fixed ideas and theories .
A widespread subjective idealist trend in modern bourgeois philosophy . The so called principle of pragmatism is the core of pragmatic philosophy and determines the value of knowledge by its practical utility .
In logic pragmatism comes to irrationalism .
2007-03-20 06:44:20 · answer #2 · answered by subra 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pragmatism is doing what needs to be done now without thought to the future
2007-03-20 06:29:56 · answer #3 · answered by Experto Credo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For pragmatism ideas are worth only if the result is good, promotes prosperity and is of practical value. Theorizing just for the sake of it is considered irrelevant to a pragmatist.
2007-03-20 06:41:55 · answer #4 · answered by remy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
- A method in philosophy where value is determined by practical results.
- the doctrine that truth is the practical efficacy of an idea
- the doctrine that practical consequences are the criteria of knowledge and meaning and value
2007-03-20 09:20:50 · answer #5 · answered by Slim Shady 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The philosophy of the practical: if it works, it is right. Principles take a backseat to the practical.
2007-03-20 06:34:14 · answer #6 · answered by eagleperch 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doing what needs to be done to achieve the greatest good even if what you do now may not be ethical or desirable.
2007-03-20 06:41:37 · answer #7 · answered by Elizabeth Howard 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
being practical
2007-03-20 07:24:36 · answer #8 · answered by diannegoodwin@sbcglobal.net 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋