Pragmatism

Pragmatism is a philosophical movement that offers a unique framework for understanding humans and the world in which they live and must not be confused with the popular use of the term to refer to the sort of “pragmatic approach” to life’s problems that seem to be a critical part of the American character. The development of pragmatism as a distinctive philosophy grew out of a historical period in American philosophy that spans the writings of its five major contributors: Charles Peirce, William James, John Dewey, George Herbert Mead, and C. I. Lewis. It is these philosophers who give rise to what is called classical American pragmatism. While W. V. O. Quine and Richard Rorty utilize many of the pragmatic themes and claim the title ...