Single Idea 4746

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / D. Empiricism / 3. Pragmatism]

Full Idea

Pragmatism in general is better construed as a certain conception of belief, rather than as a distinctive conception of truth.

Gist of Idea

Pragmatism is better understood as a theory of belief than as a theory of truth

Source

Pascal Engel (Truth [2002], §1.5)

Book Reference

Engel,Pascal: 'Truth' [Acumen 2002], p.35


A Reaction

Which is why aspiring relativists drift towards the pragmatic theory - because they want to dispense with truth (and hence knowledge), and put mere belief in its place.