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Neuropragmatism and the Reconstruction of Scientific and Humanistic Worldviews

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Neuroscience, Neurophilosophy and Pragmatism

Part of the book series: New Directions in Philosophy and Cognitive Science ((NDPCS))

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Abstract

Neurophilosophical pragmatism, or neuropragmatism, is a scientifically informed treatment of cognition, knowledge, the body-mind relation, agency, socialization, and further issues predicated on sound judgments about these basic matters. Neuropragmatism is capable of grappling with philosophical questions arising at many levels, from synapse to society. There is much at stake, as the epigraph by Dewey states. With its firm grounding in science, neuropragmatism may be the philosophy best equipped to deal productively with the challenges facing our culture, as developments in neuroscience and neurotechnology bring about both better means for dealing with old problems, and new ways of creating and dealing with the problems of today and tomorrow.

The question of the integration of mind-body in action is the most practical of all questions we can ask of our civilization. It is not just a speculative question; it is a demand: a demand that the labor of multitudes now too predominantly physical in character be inspirited by purpose and emotion and informed by knowledge and understanding. It is a demand that what now pass for highly intellectual and spiritual functions shall be integrated with the ultimate conditions and means of all achievement, namely the physical, and thereby accomplish something beyond themselves. Until this integration is effected in the only place where it can be carried out, in action itself, we shall continue to live in a society in which a soulless and heartless materialism is compensated for by soulful but futile and unnatural idealism and spiritualism.

John Dewey2

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Notes

  1. The following is a synthesis of parts, drawn from and modified, of two separate articles: Tibor Solymosi and John Shook, ‘Neuropragmatism: A Neurophilosophical Manifesto’, European Journal of Pragmatism and American Philosophy, 5(1) (2013): 212–234

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Authors
  1. John R. Shook
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  2. Tïbor Solymosi
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Mercyhurst University, Pennsylvania, USA

    Tibor Solymosi (Assistant Professor of Philosophy) (Assistant Professor of Philosophy)

  2. University at Buffalo, USA

    John R. Shook (professor of philosophy) (professor of philosophy)

Copyright information

© 2014 John R. Shook and Tïbor Solymosi

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Shook, J.R., Solymosi, T. (2014). Neuropragmatism and the Reconstruction of Scientific and Humanistic Worldviews. In: Solymosi, T., Shook, J.R. (eds) Neuroscience, Neurophilosophy and Pragmatism. New Directions in Philosophy and Cognitive Science. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137376077_1

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