Pragmatism Works: Essays on Quantum Theory, Science, and Metaphysics

Pragmatism Works presents what became a unified pragmatist view of quantum theory, science, and metaphysics developed over the past fifteen years. The essays show what work pragmatism can do in philosophy, but also in science. Indeed, the distinction between science and philosophy is relatively recent. The word 'science' originally denoted theoretical knowledge of any kind, not just of the natural world. Only after the scientific revolution did it come to have its more specialized modern meaning. The term 'natural philosophy' referred to a branch of philosophy encompassing any systematic study of the natural world. While the essays are all contributions to natural philosophy, some were originally published in physics journals and others in philosophy journals. Some chapters appeared originally in edited volumes, while two appear here for the first time. Many of these essays concern the proper understanding of a particular physical theory or quantum theory. Ideas from contemporary pragmatist philosophers proved pivotal in seeking a better understanding.