An Outline of Pragmatic Rationalism as a General Theory about the Human World

The human world, consisting of all human practice and activities, has its past, present and future. A general theory about the human world must, at the very least, provide not only a way of understanding the most outstanding cases of development in the past history of the human world, but also a way of guiding the present and future human activities concerning most significant issues towards a better direction of development in the human world. In fact, the vast range of humanities could be regarded as studies about the human world, whence philosophy, in particular, could be understood as a study ultimately seeking a general theory about the human world. More specifically, philosophy may be regarded as having been concerned with rational concepts and general principles useful for the understanding and guidance of the human world. This conception of philosophy may then provide a re-direction of philosophy, which in modern times has been largely concerned with the standpoint of the Cartesian ego and language, and hence a much needed new and more useful direction out of the present confused state of philosophy. One way to pursue this new direction of philosophy is to find in Socrates's philosophy the central ideas useful for the development of a general theory about the human world. It is as such a development that Pragmatic Rationalism is proposed here.

The Socratic Oath

The following may serve a suitable starting point of everything I might say here.

The Socratic Oath

I believe in Good;

That whatever the situation is,

However disappointing or hopeless it is,

Whatever limitations, mistakes and misfortunes there have been,

Or however pleasurable or seemingly satisfying it is,

It is the humble devotion to

And the undefeated perseverance in

The pursuit of the Good

That itself constitutes the highest human moral achievement;

And that the Good consists in the most excellent human functioning,

Namely, the realisation of the principle Knowledge Guides Action

Both in the being of a person, and in the make-up of a family, as well as in the structure of all human organisations;

And therefore that in all cases of life, business and society,

The pursuit of the Good lies in the very act, and its fostering, of the search for Knowledge

Which guides Action that brings about the Good;

And finally that ephemeral is worldly prosperity, but goodness brings lasting prosperity and true happiness.

This is my most fundamental belief

By which all my feelings, beliefs, knowledge, outlooks and actions are to be examined and guided, and

Which, above all, I will endeavour my utmost

To put into practice in my life

Till the last breath is drawn.

Note that the central idea expressed in the above is the principle "Knowledge Guides Action", which may be called the KGA principle in short. The reason why the above is given that title, and all other things I might say here may belong to what may be called Pragmatic Rationalism.