INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT

EDU 6003 ( M.ED)

NORHIDAYAH BINTI MUZAKIR G1815952
DR. TAHRAOUI RAMDANE MURAD

CRITICISM TOWARDS THE APPROACH OF PRAGMATISM IN GENERAL.

According to William James, the American Psychologist and leading Pragmatist, Pragmatism
is derived from the Greek word, pragma means action, from which the word practice and practical
comes. It means, pragmatism refers to experimental, empirical and purposive thought and applying
to experience. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/pragmatism-philosophy).

However, there are many things that are factual but we cannot involve by experience. For
example the life after death. Many religions, such as Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddism believe
it as a part of their religion. However no one has experienced it directly, but knowing that from the
scriptures and the teaching of the religions. We cannot say that if it cannot be experienced it should
not be accounted as exist since these religions (that believe in life after death) believe it as a symbol
of justice. Some may think, is there no punishment for those who are very rich and always oppressed
other for the sake of his pleasure in his entire life? And why some other people who is kind and full of
empathy, but life in sadness? Thus, life after death is the answer and become a belief of some religions.

The idealism thinks that pragmatism is like deal with ‘plastic part’ of nature of reality. Since it
believes in the actual and empirical process so it cannot answers some issues deal with morality and
ethics. It cannot understand why people change from loving to become cruel. And how people kill
others just because money. It also cannot understand why some rich people involve in muggings or
pickpockets.

Pragmatism can limit the intellectual ability because people tend to think based on the
standard given (scientific procedure / scientific approach). (https://azismuthalib.wordpress.com). This
will limit the thinking activity and people will think according to some guidelines and not beyond of
that. For example, when see the water, people tend to think how it can be used, rather than why the
color is like that or who is behind the beauty of the water.

Some Pragmatism said that the ultimate truth is after it has been examined to other people
in other situation and place all over the word. This is possible for scientific experiment but impossible
if it related to the belief of society since every society has own unique character and belief.

On the other hand pragmatism also can solve many problems and give benefit to society. For
example the scientific research on vaccines has benefit people all over the world.

Pragmatism also can lead to innovation. Since it is about understanding and experience the
process of something, so the knowledge can be used to other things. For example, students experience
the bird fly process by watch it well and understand it. After that they can invent some tools that
similar in the bird fly process in order to help human fly like bird.

Furthermore, Pragmatism can lead to perfection of life since it is using the scientific approach
which had element of prediction to be used in the future. It is also subject to change or improve for
the sake of people’s benefit and facility.

In conclusion, every idea has its own strength and weakness. Similar with the idea of
pragmatism. However the pragmatism is in line with the need in modern life since it is not absolutely
reject the metaphysic but it offers to understand the metaphysic in scientific way in order to get better
understanding. However, a person should not bind himself in the scientific procedure since the world
is perfect with the abstract and the unseen behind it.
 INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT
EDU 6003 ( M.ED)
NORHIDAYAH BINTI MUZAKIR G1815952
DR. TAHRAOUI RAMDANE MURAD