more from Leon Horsten

Single Idea 15336

[catalogued under 3. Truth / E. Pragmatic Truth / 1. Pragmatic Truth]

Full Idea

The pragmatic theory is unsatisfactory because usefulness is a relative notion. One theory can be useful to group A while being thoroughly impractical for group B. This would make the theory both truth and false.

Gist of Idea

The pragmatic theory of truth is relative; useful for group A can be useless for group B

Source

Leon Horsten (The Tarskian Turn [2011], 02.1)

Book Reference

Horsten,Leon: 'The Tarskian Turn' [MIT 2011], p.13


A Reaction

This objection, along with the obvious fact that certain falsehoods can be very useful, would seem to rule pragmatism out as a theory of truth. It is, in fact, an abandonment of truth.