Review Practical “ pragmatic ” shift in thoughtPractical “ pragmatic ” shift in thought –Focus on action and “ ideas ” as habits/guides to action Schemes of ideas/values evolve via adaptationSchemes of ideas/values evolve via adaptation Stable, social, responsive systems surviveStable, social, responsive systems survive –Formulated in Peirce ’ s 4 methods Comfort v irritation—seek best method for “fixing” beliefComfort v irritation—seek best method for “fixing” belief Some trade stability for social agreement and reverseSome trade stability for social agreement and reverse

Stability v Sociability Tenacity and Authority have reciprocal strength and weaknessTenacity and Authority have reciprocal strength and weakness A priori (inner light, pure rationalism) = Socratic MethodA priori (inner light, pure rationalism) = Socratic Method Can’t achieve social agreementCan’t achieve social agreement Only science builds in responsiveness and self correctionOnly science builds in responsiveness and self correction Like a priori method, needs no authority (a plus)Like a priori method, needs no authority (a plus) Gradual, coordinated, independently verifiable changeGradual, coordinated, independently verifiable change Free and morally sound—integrity and real concern for truthFree and morally sound—integrity and real concern for truth

James ’ Contrast James ’ subjective version of PragmatismJames ’ subjective version of Pragmatism –More comfortable with religion Psychological “pay-off” and make action possiblePsychological “pay-off” and make action possible Moral judgments and free willMoral judgments and free will Truth is what worksTruth is what works –And working can be very individual Split with Peirce—Dewey as compromiseSplit with Peirce—Dewey as compromise

Questions Review Test Arrangements Review next week after finish Dewey. Exam due before May 4

John Dewey Popular and influential – Politics and EducationPopular and influential – Politics and Education –Educational reforms and backlash Emphasis on problem solvingEmphasis on problem solving –Now coming to you from HKU! Problem based learning. Challenged by Russell—stops taking about truthChallenged by Russell—stops taking about truth –Russell insists not a good analysis (correspondence) Unfair--also a coherence theory of truth (Socrates)Unfair--also a coherence theory of truth (Socrates) –Correspondence never adequately explained Pragmatism a version of that (or a mild blend)Pragmatism a version of that (or a mild blend) –Coherent system of beliefs that work—brings in reality –Starts to use “Warranted Assertability” to avoid criticism

Warrated Assertability v Truth Process/method v metaphysical relationProcess/method v metaphysical relation –What do the social norms of assertion require, allow and forbid saying? –Justification or warrant rest on social norms–Justification or warrant rest on social norms The social norms of reasoning survive or dieThe social norms of reasoning survive or die –Sharing information and justifications–Sharing information and justifications –Social intelligence  population intelligence–Social intelligence  population intelligence Rejects the “picture theory” of thoughtRejects the “picture theory” of thought Opposed to classic individualist conception of ideasOpposed to classic individualist conception of ideas Interest (and reception) in ChinaInterest (and reception) in China

Pragmatic Mix Darwinism, Kant and utilitarianismDarwinism, Kant and utilitarianism –Mind structures reality –Darwinian context: solves problems for the organism Leads to richer experienced life (utility ≠ pleasure)Leads to richer experienced life (utility ≠ pleasure) –Rationality is a product of evolution Kant and Hegel (focus on social evolution)Kant and Hegel (focus on social evolution) Ways of solving problems thatWays of solving problems that –Are compact enough to "fit in genes" –Successful general strategies given how the world is

Inquiry Constructs a Kantian world that worksConstructs a Kantian world that works –Change when it doesn't –Survival determining, but lots of room for selection Hence also utilitarianHence also utilitarian –Cost-benefit analysis –In the extreme has survival consequences

Steps in Inquiry HabitHabit FrustrationFrustration DoubtDoubt Gathering informationGathering information HypothesesHypotheses TestingTesting Return to actionReturn to action

Dewey ’ s Method of Inquiry Natural scientific methodNatural scientific method –Solve an actual frustration –Mind and habit. Share successful strategiesShare successful strategies –Forms of social coordination –Science as efficient way to store/retrieve knowledge Avoid “ metaphysical ” doubtAvoid “ metaphysical ” doubt

Only "Practical" Doubt Mind only "works" when habit is unsuccessfulMind only "works" when habit is unsuccessful –Intellectually conservative –Accept scientific picture until disproof Anti-DescartesAnti-Descartes –No abstract doubt –Evil demon makes knowledge impossible May be mathematical, intellectual puzzlesMay be mathematical, intellectual puzzles –But not "systematic" doubt

Neurath's Boat Listing because of a leakListing because of a leak –Repair at sea (we have to stay afloat while we fix our system) –Rely on the good side while we repair the broken plank Might eventually repair the whole boatMight eventually repair the whole boat –No single plank is irreplaceable –No "fundamental belief" Rely on other beliefs while correcting troublesome oneRely on other beliefs while correcting troublesome one –Might later correct those we relied on earlier

Focus on Social Intelligence Shared information gathering, storing, accessingShared information gathering, storing, accessing –Less tolerant than James of individual "success" Science, logic and scientific methodScience, logic and scientific method –Efficient storage, retrieval, testing Cf. Apprenticeships, secret transmission, know-howCf. Apprenticeships, secret transmission, know-how Social intelligence about ethics, crime, economics, SARS and so forthSocial intelligence about ethics, crime, economics, SARS and so forth –Critical, autonomous, conformity for common good –No authority but doubt only when leads to problems Including theoretical problemsIncluding theoretical problems

Social Emphasis Interest in Marxism, ChinaInterest in Marxism, China –Shared social focus –American "socialist" Critical of Marxism but shared view of human social natureCritical of Marxism but shared view of human social nature Main divergence: radical v ameliorativeMain divergence: radical v ameliorative –Violent v liberal—like Neurath's boat

"Classical Liberalism" Conservative individualismConservative individualism Shallow psychology of human natureShallow psychology of human nature –Atomistic, egoistic, base hedonistic, amoral individuals (psychological egoist) –Needing law to motivate moral behavior Self ‑ fulfilling prophecySelf ‑ fulfilling prophecy –American character v. Chinese character: Our nature is shaped by culture and institutionsOur nature is shaped by culture and institutions

Classical Focus Wrong Not question of individual v societyNot question of individual v society –Question is how to blend nature & culture New liberalismNew liberalism –Way to justify liberty is that its institutions create free people Self-critical, responsible, autonomousSelf-critical, responsible, autonomous –Not something demanded by metaphysically free individuals

Democracy Face to face discussion creates communal humansFace to face discussion creates communal humans –Shared views Mutual respectMutual respect EqualityEquality Concern for communityConcern for community Advocate democracyAdvocate democracy –To create self ‑ governing, self ‑ perfecting beings Not because majority is right or wiseNot because majority is right or wise

Real Problems for Liberalism Non ‑ political/cultural factors inhibit moral growthNon ‑ political/cultural factors inhibit moral growth –Even when politically free –Manipulative "free" institutions Economic determinismEconomic determinism –Songs and arts –Confucius on 禮 li ritual and music

Manipulation Television and advertising create artificial needsTelevision and advertising create artificial needs –Cars, fashions, perfumes, colognes, style –Related to songs and natural impulse –Cf. Laozi Education for jobsEducation for jobs –Free form of slavery –Sensationalist slaves Educational system ‑‑ teaches docilityEducational system ‑‑ teaches docility

Solution Political involvementPolitical involvement –People take real power over themselves –Set up institutions with that goal Social intelligenceSocial intelligence –Value knowledge is like scientific –Social and coherent –Criticize some only—no systematic value doubt

Philosophy for All Reason in morals and in scienceReason in morals and in science –Social shared intelligence We cannot choose not to philosophizeWe cannot choose not to philosophize –We choose do it well... –Or badly

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