Single Idea 19088

[catalogued under 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 1. Concepts / a. Nature of concepts]

Full Idea

In the pragmatist view, the meaning of a concept is exhausted by its consequences.

Gist of Idea

For pragmatists a concept means its consequences

Source

Danielle Macbeth (Pragmatism and Objective Truth [2007], p.173)

Book Reference

'New Pragmatists', ed/tr. Misak,Cheryl [OUP 2009], p.173


A Reaction

I'm unclear why the concept of a volcanic eruption only concerns its dire consequences, and is supposed to contain nothing of its causes. Pragmatists seem to be all future, and no past. Very American.