Original scientific paper

Putnam, Pragmatism and the Fate of Metaphysics

David Macarthur

Abstract

Putnam has called for a renewal of philosophy by
invoking the names of Wittgenstein and Dewey,
both strong critics of traditional metaphysics. In
the light of his own attacks on various forms of
metaphysics (e.g. metaphysical realism, the fact/
value distinction), one question that arises is
this: what is the fate of metaphysics in Putnam’s
vision of philosophy? The present paper explores
this question by reading Putnam as committed
to a broadly pragmatist approach to metaphysics
exemplified in different ways by James and
Dewey. I end by providing several different ways
of understanding Putnam’s claim that “there is
a sense in which it is the task of philosophy to
overcome metaphysics and a sense in which its
task is to continue metaphysical discussion”.

Keywords

Putnam; metaphysics; pragmatism; James; Dewey

Hrčak ID:

93229

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/93229

Publication date:

18.9.2008.

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