Pragmatic Ethics

• The term pragmatism is derived from the Greek word pragma,

which means “act” or “deed” Practice or practical
• It was introduced by Charles Sanders Peirce (pronounced as purse)
in 1878. It was given wide and popular circulation through the
brilliant essays of William James.
• John Dewey methodically implemented it into the daily affairs of
American institutions (James 1992, 39).
• These three were united by their conviction that there must be a
close connection between thinking and doing.
• The efficacy in practical application somehow provides a standard
for the determination of truth in the cases of statement, rightness
in the case of actions, and value in the case of appraisal.
• Put into action = truth, right and value
Pragmatic Ethics: Concept of a Good Life
• Pragmatism is more of a theory of knowledge, truth, and
meaning than morality.
• However, there appear moral interests and moral language in it.
 At first, we cannot say that this is a moral theory because it appears that it is more
of theory of knowledge. However, William James proved in his writings that this is
really a moral theory.
• It mediates the schools of thought: empiricism and rationalism.
• Empiricism, pragmatist agreed that man has no conception of the whole reality
and that he knows things from many perspectives.
• Rationalism, the whole realm of values constituted a significant of human
experience.
Pragmatic Ethics: Concept of a Good Life
• According to Pragmatism, ideas are clear and distinct only
when we are able to translate them into some type of
operation.
• We will only be able to understand the meaning of red and
sweet when we are able to conceive of some specific effects
that are associated with these terms.
Ex. Red and sweet apples
Yellow and ripe mango
Pragmatic Ethics: Concept of a Good Life
• Things which cannot be put into practice are worthless/useless. Pragmatism
means practical or practice.
• If a word will not be tied up to any observable practical results,
it will be considered meaningless because its meaning is the
sum total of its practical consequence.
• Pierce agreed with the empiricist in its claim that meaning is
based on experience and determined by experience.
• James’ concept of morality focused on more apparent issues.
• James looked for what he called the cash value statements, the
practical pay off.
• Ang halaga ng isang bagay ay kung hindi ay naisasabuhay o napapakinabangan
(practicality). Walang saysay ang isang bagay kung ito ay hindi nagagamit..
Pragmatic Ethics: Concept of a Good Life
• Perhaps you sometimes hear from the elder of the family the cliché,
“Maging praktikal sa buhay!!!” Perhaps you already know what does this
statement mean. This embodies the whole concept of Pragmatism.
• Example: you are financially able, the resounding question is, why did you
choose to study at University of Batangas?
One of the answer maybe is the University offers the same quality education
and studying here in the province is easier in many aspect like you can easily
go home even you are renting a boarding house, meals to eat will be least of
your problem especially to those who still live at home(lalabas lang ng kwarto,
may nakahanda ng pagkain, maghugas din naman ng pinggan ), in Manila,
that’s a common struggle, everyday you need to think what are you going to
eat(kakain mo palang ng umagahan, iisipin mo na ulit saan ka kakain ng
tanghalian), another thing that makes education in the province more
appealing is it’s affordability, however you can still obtain the same quality of
education which universities in Manila offer.
Pragmatism as a Basis for Doing Good
• It is considered as epistemological. (comes from knowledge and
maybe subjective)
• Our ideas are clear and distinct only when we are able to
translate them into some mode of operation.
• If a word refers to an object or a quality about which no
practical effects can be conceived, such a word has no
meaning.
Moral Standards
 Idea would be meaningless if it will not be put into action and such
action must bring practical results.
 The good ness of an action depends on its practicality.
 A true and valid form of knowledge is one which is practical, workable,
beneficial and useful.
 Hence, the goodness of an action depends on its
consequences(outcome).
 Pragmatism is also referred as: EXPERIMENTALISM (verified and tested by experiment)
INSTRUMENTALISM (instruments of action and tools fro solving problems)
RECONSTRUCTIONISM (tool to reconstruct our human experiences)
PROGRESSIVISM (for development of creature and habits)
 Pragmatism believed that truth is the cash value of an idea, accordingly, can only
be considered good depending upon the monetary considerations that such
judgment or statement will incur.
 An act is good if it benefits the human society.
Pragmatic Ethics
Critique to Pragmatic Ethics
• Provided an answer to Utilitarianism’s concept of justice.
• Important to place one’s self first so that the person may
become better in his position to be of better service to the
society and be able to provide happiness to the greatest
number of people.
• Performing one’s duty would become meaningless if it will not
produce practical results.
• Truth is the cash value of idea- overly materialistic to the detriment
of the spiritual development of a person.
• This would lead to Selfishness since the focus of one’s action is not
the happiness of the greatest number but the practicality of one’s
action to his own self.
Pragmatic Ethics
Note: When we say practical, there are options given to choose with. These
two options are right however what we will choose is the one that is easy
at the same time beneficial, workable and useful.

Example: We cannot say that cheating is practical just because it will be easy
for us to have answers for our assignment/quiz because in the first place,
cheating is wrong.

The students in UB are arguing between using the overpass or crossing the
street under the overpass for it won’t make them tired. In this case,
practicality should not be used as a justification.
Not using the overpass or crossing the street not on pedestrian lane is
considered to be morally unacceptable because if you won’t use the
overpass and merely cross the street you are violating a rule which is
jaywalking.
In general…
• Pragmatism was founded by Charles Peirce and developed by William
James. Later on, it was made famous by John Dewey.
• The focus of pragmatism is on the practicality, workability, usability, and
beneficiality of one's action.
• In order to determine whether the action is good or bad, the basis is the
practicality of said action.
• There must be a close connection between thinking and doing. If one
would think that a particular idea or principle is good, then it must be put
into action.
• The basis of pragmatic ethics was its ability to solve certain moral and
social problems of the time.