Introducing Pragmatism

Abstract

This chapter briefly outlines Peirce’s pragmatic maxim that was the basis of his philosophical ideas. It explains that pragmatism is a logical method of inquiry that aims to arrive at an understanding of a concept, statement or proposition in terms of its practical outcomes or effects. For Peirce, inquiry is about being able to think clearly using a scientific method which is grounded in logical, inferential reasoning based on the resolution of a doubt to arrive at a belief. Once established, a belief leads to the establishment of a habit, a way of thinking. A habit acts as a rule for action and can therefore influence and determine our behaviour. Peirce made a distinction between belief and doubt, where doubt is the start of the questioning or inquiry process and belief is the outcome of answering a question or coming to a conclusion as a result of the inquiry. However, Peirce argued that all beliefs should be treated as provisional, due partly to our fallibility as human beings, as well as the amount of knowledge that we simply cannot access in our own lifetime. Therefore, the most we can claim about our beliefs is that we think they are true. Brief examples are used to illustrate how Peirce’s ideas can be applied to learning, the development of conceptual understanding and educational leadership.