Question

What are the salient features of pragmatism?

Answer 1

Pragmatism can be seen as a reformation of classic empiricism or positivism. Its principle is pretty simple: A proposition is meaningful only insofar as it can serves a practical purpose.

So consider questions such as: “How do I know that the external world exists?” “How do I know that I’m not just a brain in a vat? Or a part of a simulation?”

Since there is no way to prove, nor disprove, these skeptical hypothetical scenarios, there is no practical purpose to be obtained by entertaining them. These questions, and here I quote Michael Williams, do not constitute aproblem to be solved; but a neurosis to be overcome.