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Behavioral pragmatism: no place for reality and truth
1Department of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland. Dermot.Barnes-Holmes @may.ie
The Behavior Analyst
|April 6, 2012
Summary
This study examines pragmatism and truth criteria, finding that behavioral pragmatism avoids correspondence issues inherent in traditional views. It offers an alternative truth basis in personal goals, though potentially lacking absolute objectives.
Area of Science:
- Philosophy of Science
- Epistemology
Background:
- L. J. Hayes claims pragmatism necessitates a correspondence theory of truth.
- W. V. Quine's concept of observation sentences initially seems to sidestep correspondence.
- Quine's reliance on agreement among observation sentences reintroduces correspondence issues (homology).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate Hayes's claim regarding pragmatism and correspondence.
- To analyze Quine's philosophical position on truth criteria.
- To introduce and assess behavioral pragmatism as an alternative.
Main Methods:
- Review of L. J. Hayes's argument.
- Examination of W. V. Quine's concept of observation sentences.
- Introduction of behavioral pragmatism and its truth basis.
Main Results:
- Quine's philosophy implicitly relies on correspondence despite attempts to avoid it.
- Behavioral pragmatism grounds truth in personal goals, circumventing correspondence.
- This approach may lack ultimate objectives for science and philosophy.
Conclusions:
- Behavioral pragmatism successfully avoids correspondence-based truth criteria.
- It offers a novel approach to truth but may not satisfy all philosophical aims.
- The study highlights the persistent challenge of correspondence in truth theories.
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