Pragmatism as a philosophical school is against the purely logical and abstract bias of philosophy; its own approach is essentially practical. Philosophy according to pragmatism, should be vitally related to human life and existence. Therefore this essay deals about the role of pragmatic method in western philosophical thoughts.
II.PRAGMATISM
Pragma means useful (or) purposeful. Pragmatism is a method of inquiry and a theory of meaning and truth, derived from the natural sciences and applicable to philosophy1. The term pragmatism was used by the American Scientist and logician Charles pierce (1839-1914) for the first time on the basis of suggestion he found in Kant’s Metaphysics of morals. Thus he was led to accept pragmatic conclusion2.
The term pragmatism in its literal sense, it implies that each person should adopt beliefs which suit him in his practical life without any consideration of agreement with other people3. Truth is relative to person and circumstances. The concept of absolute truth and absolute reality is, therefore rejected by the …show more content…
The most important feature of pragmatism is that it is not interested in traditional philosophy. It is futile to discuss ultimate questions and the view of reality having no relevance to our concrete problems.
b. Pragmatism is inspired by actual human experiences. Therefore, the pragmatists derive their doctrines from concrete realities of life, directly experienced. They do not start with presuppositions, eternal truth and a priori knowledge. The notions of reality should by open to verification and modification with the help of experiences. Truth is a belief evolved through the test of individuals and social experiences. A belief isolated from real conditions of life and not tested and verified in actual experiences has to be rejected. Verifiability through experiences is the real test of truth.
c. Pragmatism is opposed to absolutism, absolute truth, absolue good, absolute reality. Everything is relative to time, needs and utility. There is a wide range of interests which govern our life. Workability and usefulness are to determine the relevance of a belief. Learning from experiences we should be able to modify our conduct for better adjustment. American pragmatists emphasize that a belief should help us in achieving success and in the formation of useful