Pragmatists have two important characteristics: First, utilitarianism. It is a criterion for solving all philosophical problems of understanding with practical results. Pragmatism pays attention to practice and has no utilitarian effect, so it does not matter whether the theory is true or false. Pragmatism never solves problems literally; it requires facing the facts and the future.

"Pragmatism" often manifests itself as opportunism. It generally does not explore theories that are "far from reality" and has an impetuous mentality. It is unwilling to conduct repeated experiments and verifications on things and phenomena, let alone conduct in-depth theoretical research and tedious demonstrations, and is unwilling to explore objective, relatively independent There are laws beyond personal will, and we are even less willing to criticize the real society.

Extended information

Pragmatists are loyal to facts and have no objections to theological views. If some theological concepts prove to be of value to specific life, they recognize it as true. Religious belief can still be preserved by downgrading philosophy from abstract debate to a more personalistic place. It recognizes Darwin and religion, but it also does not admit that it is dualistic, that is, it is both materialistic and idealistic, and it is also pluralistic.

The main arguments of pragmatism:

Knowledge is a tool to control reality, and reality can be changed; actual experience is the most important, principles and reasoning are secondary;

p>

Whether beliefs and concepts are true depends on whether they can bring practical results; truth is an accomplished activity of thought; theory is just a hypothetical summary of the results of behavior. It is a tool, and its value depends on whether it can Make the action successful.

A person's interpretation of reality depends entirely on the effect of reality on his interests; action is better than dogma, and experience is better than rigid principles;

The meaning of a concept comes from its results , the meaning of truth comes from evidence.

The characteristic of pragmatism is that it utilitarianizes positivism and emphasizes life, action and effects. Experience and reality are attributed to the effects of actions, knowledge is attributed to tools for action, and truth is attributed to usefulness, utility, or Action success. The essence of pragmatism is reflected in the view expressed by Peirce: the task of cognition is to understand the effects of actions and thereby provide beliefs for actions (the only function of thinking is to establish beliefs). ?

Pragmatism-Baidu Encyclopedia