Veritas Aequitas wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 5:04 am
The definition for Pragmatism is basically,
- Pragmatism is a philosophical tradition that considers words and thought as tools and instruments for prediction, problem solving, and action, and rejects the idea that the function of thought is to describe, represent, or mirror reality. Pragmatists contend that most philosophical topics—such as the nature of knowledge, language, concepts, meaning, belief, and science—are all best viewed in terms of their practical uses and successes.
WIKI
But one has to be more careful with 'what is idealism'
- In philosophy, the term idealism identifies and describes metaphysical perspectives which assert that reality is indistinguishable and inseparable from perception and understanding; that reality is a mental construct closely connected to ideas.[1]
Idealist perspectives are in two categories:
subjective idealism, which proposes that a material object exists only to the extent that a human being perceives the object; and
objective idealism, which proposes the existence of an objective consciousness that exists prior to and independently of human consciousness, thus the existence of the object is independent of human perception.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idealism
- Objective idealism is a form of metaphysical idealism that accepts Naïve realism (the view that empirical objects exist objectively) ... wiki
The naïve realist is typically also a Metaphysical [Philosophical] Realist, holding that these objects continue to obey the laws of physics and retain all of their properties regardless of whether or not there is anyone to observe them. -Wiki
In view of the above variation,
merely "idealism v pragmatism" without identify what type of 'idealism' therein is non-effective.
Pragmatism rejects mirroring reality therefore is anti-Philosophical Realism.
I believe pragmatism is a form of Idealism-in-general [like pragmatic idealism] in the sense that it is interdependent within the human conditions [i.e. not independent of it].
Veritas Aequitas wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 4:59 am
Pragmatism rejects mirroring reality therefore is anti-Philosophical Realism.
I believe pragmatism is a form of Idealism-in-general [like pragmatic idealism] in the sense that it is interdependent within the human conditions [i.e. not independent of it].
VA is right to note that pragmatism is complicate and so is idealism.
But I think it is better to say that pragmatism black boxes mirroring reality. It is shifting focus away from saying X mirrors reality. It is not rejecting that or accepting that. It's just saying, hey, I'm not going to focus on that. To take a stand on that issue is potentially counterproductive and unnecessary. Let's just see what works.
Now there can be idealistic pragmatisms or pragmatic idealisms.
But VA wants us to conflate pragmatism with idealism. Because this simplifies his tasks. Then his antirealism can perhaps take can of both realism and pragmatism. But some pragmatists don't care at all about or agree with idealist ontological positions.
So it's poor reductionism on his part.