PHIL 115 Study Guide - Falsifiability, Social Enterprise, Meliorism
4 Apr 2013
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Pragmatism is a theory of truth (unusual account) and a theory of knowledge. A reaction against other early forms of modern epistemology and rationalism. Not just a rationalist, but an empiricist too. Basic hypothesis of empiricist epistemology is experience- firsthand direct observation using the senses. First principles of knowledge are not what descartes and other rationalists believed, but empirical observations. Was unhappy with how the third concepts (experience, truth, knowledge) had been interpreted by early modern epistemologists. A dynamic, fluid, naturalistic, darwinian conception of knowledge. Pragmatism to be the philosophy of the future. Conscious that pragmatism was now an american philosophy. Peirce is the founder of pragmatism, and he was very critical + not well liked. Presented as a theory of meaning, and only that, with narrow application. How to make our ideas clear. the concepts of philosophy have vagueness about them. Need to know the practical, real world consequences.
