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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 Ref
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.
| 1890 | We distinguish ambiguities by seeing what is useful [Sext.Empiricus] |
| 14794 | Instead of seeking Truth, we should seek belief that is beyond doubt [Peirce] |
| 14795 | Pragmatism is a way of establishing meanings, not a theory of metaphysics or a set of truths [Peirce] |
| 18989 | Pragmatism accepts any hypothesis which has useful consequences [James] |
| 6441 | Pragmatism judges by effects, but I judge truth by causes [Russell] |
| 13937 | New linguistic claims about entities are not true or false, but just expedient, fruitful or successful [Carnap] |
| 12625 | Pragmatism is the worst idea ever [Fodor] |
| 4746 | Pragmatism is better understood as a theory of belief than as a theory of truth [Engel] |