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Pragmatism
is a uniquely American philosophy that tries to integrate the
life of the mind with the rest of human experience by stressing
how ideas have practical consequences. Such early American
thinkers such as Benjamin Franklin, Ralph Waldo Emerson,
Thoreau,
and Walt
Whitman were early pragmatists in their inclination
to emphasize experience and practical results.
However, after the advent of Darwinism,
pragmatic philosophy was profoundly changed by the new view
that humans are natural creatures who must create their own
beliefs, meanings, and sense of purpose.
Charles
Peirce (1839-1914) was perhaps the most seminal figure in
American Pragmatism. Trained as a scientist, this Boston native
wanted to apply the powerful scientific method to philosophical
problems. Peirce emphasized the need for ongoing cooperative
inquiry; according to his Pragmatic Maxim, meaning is
established by direct interaction with the sensible
effects of whatever we're studying. For Peirce, pragmatic
effects are sensory, experiential, future-oriented,
and publicly perceptible.
William
James (1842-1910) was troubled by the precarious place of
humans in the new scientific world: he defended a philosophy
that affirms a meaningful role for humans. James shifted from
Peirce's emphasis on logic to an emphasis on moral
and psychological matters, insisting that truth is more
individual, short-term, and personal than
Peirce had allowed. According to James, we do not live like
scientists, and our lives are full of beliefs that may fail
to meet the strict requirements of reasoned inquiry. (See:The
Varieties of Religious Experience)
John
Dewey (1859-1952) affirmed Peirce's inquiring,
critical spirit and logical methods -- but like James his interests
were moral, esthetic, and educational, and his notion of truth
was pluralistic (i.e. tolerant of diversity). Most of all, Dewey
stressed the importance of ceaseless inquiry and reevaluation
as we work out the meaning and purpose of our lives.
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On
two audiotapes - about three hours in length.
Narrator: Lynn Redgrave
Author: Professor James Campbell
Editor: Professor John Lachs and
Wendy McElroy
Publisher: Knowledge Products, Inc.
This
title is part of the Audio Classics Series by
Knowledge Products. Knowledge Products publishes a variety of
audio presentations on the great ideas and events of history.
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