In issue 71 of PN there is an article about Dewey and Darwin by Tim Madigan, on how Darwin influenced the pragmatists. I have read it several time and am still trying to get the comprehensive meaning of it.
Someone once said the reason why Darwin's theory of evolution still stands the test of time is because it makes sense. I suppose that's what makes his theory pragmatic and attractive to pragmatists, because pragmatism is about what makes overall common sense and is the sensible thing to do for the common good.
Article in issue 71
Re: Article in issue 71
I think the connection between evolutionary theory and pragmatism is the abandonment of the dream of human beings obtaining certain knowledge of the "true nature of reality," of the idea that human beings have some privileged access to a truth that lies outside of the physical world. In Experience and Nature, Dewey said something like, philosophers have separated mind from nature and thereby created mysteries--restore the connection, and how a person knows anything about the world is as easy to explain as how a person eats food. In other words, once you accept that human beings are in toto parts of the natural world, knowledge becomes a matter of finding out what works as opposed to what, if anything, exists outside of our perceptual fields. We are the product of natural processes that favored accurate perception of our immediate environment and the ability to reason effectively based on past experience. "Truth" for both the pragmatist and the evolutionary theorist comes down to what works--what helps us meet needs. Truth isn't absolute: it changes as our needs and experiences change.
Re: Article in issue 71
"Truth isn't absolute: it changes as our needs and experiences change."
And as Hegel believed, the absolute is constantly consummating itself. So, then, is the truth.
And as Hegel believed, the absolute is constantly consummating itself. So, then, is the truth.
Re: Article in issue 71
The connection between Hegel and Dewey is interesting Dewey was a Hegelian before he was a pragmatist. Rorty has written a lot of interesting stuff about the connection between Hegel and pragmatism.
Re: Article in issue 71
Hegel led the road to pragmatism. It is said that Hegel's world-theory about change being the constant of life planted in Darwin the idea of evolution. From that grew the connection between Darwin and pragmatism as an article in issue 71 - DEWAY AND DARWIN, outlines.
Re: Article in issue 71
It makes sense that pragmatism was born in America. because of its extreme rifts.
"Pragmatism was the product of interaction between religious Idealism and the research sciences fostered by American university reform."
Pragmatism was meant to bridge the divide between those who kept their religious beliefs - traditionalist, and those who believed in evolution, modernists. However, America remains a very religious country. A majority still do not believe in evolution. Pragmatism is a philosophy of compromises and cohabitation. If pragmatism had not been invented America would have been torn apart by the opposing, contradictory views of traditionalism and modernism, as it was during the Civil War. Pragmatism became the common ground on which both could meet. Ironically, the philosophy of pragmatism was born after the Civil War, perhaps as a means of healing the rift that was exposed because of the war.
With pragmatism America invented is own truth, that people from all walks of live and believes could live together, an idealism that had was new to the world and had never been attempted before. And that truth to this day still binds a variety of people who are not always like minded. Pragmatism, also, is what makes the illusion of equality a reality.
"Pragmatism was the product of interaction between religious Idealism and the research sciences fostered by American university reform."
Pragmatism was meant to bridge the divide between those who kept their religious beliefs - traditionalist, and those who believed in evolution, modernists. However, America remains a very religious country. A majority still do not believe in evolution. Pragmatism is a philosophy of compromises and cohabitation. If pragmatism had not been invented America would have been torn apart by the opposing, contradictory views of traditionalism and modernism, as it was during the Civil War. Pragmatism became the common ground on which both could meet. Ironically, the philosophy of pragmatism was born after the Civil War, perhaps as a means of healing the rift that was exposed because of the war.
With pragmatism America invented is own truth, that people from all walks of live and believes could live together, an idealism that had was new to the world and had never been attempted before. And that truth to this day still binds a variety of people who are not always like minded. Pragmatism, also, is what makes the illusion of equality a reality.
Re: Article in issue 71
What, in simple terms, is "the absolute"?
Re: Article in issue 71
something definite, without doubt.What, in simple terms, is "the absolute"?
In terms of pragmatism, an object doesn't have any intrinsic value, which implies an absolute, unless it is valued extrinsically.
For some God is an absolute.