Hegel and Pragmatism: A Sketch of Continuity

Abstract

What was Hegel to pragmatism? An inspiration? A source? To explore their relationship requires us to answer two main questions: (1) Was Hegel a pragmatist (or “proto-pragmatist”), and if so why? And (2) Is pragmatism Hegelian, and if so why? Interpretations differ, and further research is required. The author provides a basic overview of the developments within pragmatist philosophy and reveals its complex relationship with Hegelianism. He concludes that the two philosophies share common ground in various directions and that, without Hegel, pragmatism as we know it would probably not exist.

Keywords

• Hegelianism
• classical pragmatism
• neopragmatism
• metaphilosophy
• naturalization
• American philosophy