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4. What are the differences between pragmatism and other ontological theories?

Elvin Bidwell

Pragmatism is an ontological theory that holds that our ideas are only meaningful if they relate to practical outcomes. In contrast to other metaphysical theories, such as idealism or materialism, pragmatism focuses on the utility of ideas rather than their inherent truth value or origin.

One significant difference between pragmatism and other ontological theories is the way they approach knowledge. According to idealism, knowledge is created by the mind and the external world is merely a reflection of our mental representations. Materialism, on the other hand, states that knowledge is derived from sensory data, which can be verified through empirical testing. In contrast, pragmatism suggests that knowledge is not an objective truth but is instead a useful tool for achieving our goals. Pragmatists maintain that there is no distinct essence or objective reality independent of human experience, and that knowledge is always context-dependent.

Another distinction between pragmatism and other ontological theories is the source of meaning. For idealists, meaning originates in the mind and is dependent on our ability to reason; for materialists, meaning is derived from the interaction of matter and energy. Pragmatism, however, contends that meaning is only meaningful when it is practical and can be applied to achieve our goals. Pragmatists argue that the meaning of a concept is not fixed but instead emerges from its usefulness in particular situations.

Pragmatism also diverges from other ontological theories in its approach to values and ethics. Idealism stresses moral values as primary and considers them intrinsic to reality, while materialism views morality as secondary to empirical facts. In contrast, pragmatism sees values as dependent on context, and assigns them significance only insofar as they help solve practical problems. Pragmatists advocate for a methodology of inquiry that test ideas against the observable world, determining their usefulness based on empirical evidence.

Lastly, pragmatism presents a different approach to ontology itself. Pragmatism does not posit the existence of a separate and distinct world; instead, it considers ontology as a practical question that must be addressed in the context of achieving specific goals. In contrast, Materialism presents ontology as a question about the underlying structure of the world. Idealism, on the other hand, assigns ontological weight to the mental representation of the world.

In conclusion, pragmatism differs from other ontological theories in several ways. Whereas idealism emphasizes mental representations as constitutive of reality, materialism stresses empirical verification and an external world independent of consciousness. In contrast, pragmatism upholds the practical utility of ideas and considers their meaning as context-dependent. Additionally, pragmatism regards moral values as secondary to the practical, case-by-case problem-solving task at hand. Lastly, pragmatism presents ontological questions within the framework of specific problem-solving objectives, avoiding the classification of a separate, determinate reality as the core essence of ontology.