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Full Idea
Pragmatism is no doctrine of metaphysics, no attempt to determine the truth of things. It is merely a method of ascertaining the meanings of hard words and of abstract concepts.
Gist of Idea
Pragmatism is a way of establishing meanings, not a theory of metaphysics or a set of truths
Source
Charles Sanders Peirce (Pragmatism in Retrospect [1906], p.271)
Book Ref
Peirce,Charles Sanders: 'Philosophical Writings of Peirce', ed/tr. Buchler,Justus [Dover 1940], p.271
A Reaction
Suddenly I recognise a prominent strand of modern philosophy of language (especially in America) for what it is.
| 15335 | Peirce's theory offers anti-realist verificationism, but surely how things are is independent of us? [Horsten on Peirce] |
| 14795 | Pragmatism is a way of establishing meanings, not a theory of metaphysics or a set of truths [Peirce] |
| 14796 | Independent truth (if there is any) is the ultimate result of sufficient enquiry [Peirce] |