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Theory and practice
Živan Bezić
Abstract
The distinction and relation between theory and practice have been central problem in the Western philosophy. Still now it has not lost its
actuality. That is a perenial philosophic issue.
Theory as contemplation of God and world, statement of underlying
principles of certain phenomena and as the knowing for its own sake,
is prefered by the philosphers. The philosophy, studying the first principles and being also a theoretical not a practical discipline, gives the primacy to the theory. The man namely is th e knower, a contemplative creature.
Practice is the work, action, exercise, profession, application of knowledge, and designates all the activities characteristic of man’s life.
darling of the pragmatists. The pragmatic movement philosophicaly was
an American phenomenon but practically it is world extended. Its main
concern is the man as agent and his activity (»Men are what they do«).
The pragmatic thinkers say: the facts, reality, action are prior and they
determinate our knowledge.
There is a great disagreement among the philosophers about the primacy of theory or practice. No one of conflicting streams in its extrem position can be right. Theorizing in itself is in fact one activity, and a very human practice is impossible without theoretic reflexion. Only theory and practice together are an »actus humanus«. The complete man is a th in king and active animal.
Our appreciation of theory and practice is manysided and objective.
Rather than reflecting in categories of antinomy, contrast, opposition and exclusivity we must think about theory and practive as a couple-concept of human being in complementarity, harmony and synthesis.
Keywords
theory and practice; theory; practice
Hrčak ID:
89979
URI
Publication date:
15.12.1982.
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