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Liberals often call themselves “pragmatists,” claiming that conservatives are “ideologues” and “dogmatists.” But doesn't everyone have principles?
Key Points:
- Modern-day Pragmatism, as a matter of principle, rejects philosophical principles. William James argued that we should measure ideas not by right and wrong, but by whether they work.
- Liberals often reject opposing ideas as the product of a warped ideological worldview. In doing so, they don’t acknowledge that they, too, have ideological principles.
- There are good and bad ideas and good and bad ideologies. Asking an ideological question doesn’t make you more close-minded.
- When you string your personal principles together, you have an ideology.
Quote This:
Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. –William James
See Also: Culture, Politics, Worldview
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Do you consider economic freedom important or trivial? Explain.
- Is the right to life fundamental or frivolous? Where does your opinion come from, and has it ever changed?.
- Is private property a more valuable economic principle than wealth redistribution? Defend your answer.
- “Trees have no dogmas and turnips are singularly broad-minded.” Explain this quote by G.K. Chesterton.
- Have you ever changed your mind on a principle or belief? If so, why did you do it? If not, do you think you ever will?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
This is part of the Let’s Talk Politics series.
