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12. Knowledge Sources / D. Empiricism / 3. Pragmatism

[knowledge is what works well in practice]

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