Pragmatism is the lack of morality?

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:48

According to D. Dunham's definition, pragmatism is a way of determining optimality. Translated from Greek, the word "pragma" is translated as "practice, action." In the philosophy of morality, the direction of pragmatism was widespread from the beginning to the end of the 50s of the XX century. The basis of this doctrine was laid by the philosopher William James, who formulated two initial principles of pragmatism:

1. Good is that which corresponds to a collective need.

2. Each moral situation is unique, and therefore a completely new solution must be sought each time.

Later, the pragmatist philosopher Dewey and the ethicist Tufts developed these provisions into a whole theory. The meaning of the word "pragmatic" defines this concept as the ability to plan and act without deviating from the plan. The ability to choose the main thing and cut off the excess so as not to exchange your basic needs for the vanity of life.

Pragmatism Theory

Pragmatism is the exclusion of two extremes in ethics: absolutism and moral dogmatism. moral valuesare considered in this case as something universal and independent of the changing life situation. If we analyze the theory of pragmatism, we can see that it is not typical for it to defend the rights of reason and morality.

Pragmatism is the denial of the value of generally accepted moral principles. Pragmatists argue that moral problems should be solved by the person himself, taking into account the specific situation in which he finds himself. Consequently, pragmatists deny the possibility of a theoretical consideration of life's problems. Also, in their opinion, it is impossible to turn ethical norms into "practical science".

The essence of pragmatism

Pragmatism is the desire to ensure that the efforts and time spent pay off with the result. A short path should not exhaust the traveler, otherwise it is not entirely true. Public morality sharply criticizes pragmatism. The meaning of this word is condemned by society, which is displayed in such well-known phrases as “dreaming is not harmful” or “you want a lot, you get a little”. But pragmatism is a very correct and useful trait for the implementation of plans and goals. Awareness of your own goal will allow you to choose and decide whether this is what you really want.

Many believe that pragmatism is the ability to derive personal benefit and benefit from everything that happens around. But in reality, this is one of the ways to determine life goals, as well as their embodiment. It is assumed that in order to achieve the goals, you can use allavailable means, even if they go beyond the generally accepted rules of morality and ethics.

This approach of pragmatism to the problem of ends and means, in fact, means justifying any action by morality, since someone is already busy implementing them. The main task of reason in morality comes down to solving a purely practical problem: to find the most effective way to solve any goal. In some cases, pragmatism justifies unscrupulousness, immorality and the policy of achieving the desired goals by any means.