E-LOGOS 2008, 15(1):1-19

Pragmatism's Alternative to Foundationalism and Relativism

Jonathan Langseth

In this paper I examine how pragmatism-in the works of Peirce, James, Dewey, and Rorty-rejects foundationalism while not resorting to "radical relativism," in which no is no justifiable claim for a belief. Instead of attempting to establish antecedent, a priori, or eternal principles that make evident truths, goods, or justifications thereof, independent of experience, pragmatists look towards the consequent, effective result of the maintaining of a belief as criteria for its claim as truthful or good. They emphasize trial and error experimentation and continual reflection/revision of beliefs given new information and experiences. I argue this basic methodology not only avoids the pitfalls of foundationalism, but also affords a method by which one considers the means or path towards any end as having value in and of itself.

Prepublished online: August 28, 2008; Published: June 1, 2008  Show citation

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Langseth, J. (2008). Pragmatism's Alternative to Foundationalism and Relativism. E-LOGOS, 15(1), 1-19
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