A note on pragmatism: its shared ideas and diversity of viewpoints

A note on pragmatism: its shared ideas and diversity of viewpoints (information from perplexity.ai)

My question: "In the context of study of research philosophies, please clarify the main shared ideas of pragmatism and underline on some differences of ideas from the prominent pragmatism theorists.. Then, try to relate the discussion to the context of MBA and Housing Studies dissertation project works."

The reply: "Pragmatism in Research Philosophy

Pragmatism is a research philosophy emphasizing practical consequences and "what works" to address research questions, rather than strict adherence to a single theoretical stance. It bridges qualitative and quantitative methods, focusing on the research problem itself rather than fixed ontological or epistemological assumptions.

Main Shared Ideas Among Pragmatist Theorists

• Practical effects define meaning and truth: Ideas are evaluated by their outcomes and usefulness.

• Flexibility in methods: Use of multiple research methods as appropriate.

• Focus on real-world applications: Knowledge should be actionable and relevant.

• Rejection of rigid dualisms: Between subjectivism and objectivism, or positivism and interpretivism.

• Research as social and contextual: Reality is multifaceted and constructed through interaction.

Differences Among Prominent Pragmatists

• Charles Peirce: More of an objectivist, believed theories mirror socially constructed beliefs about nature; pragmatism as a logical rule for inquiry.

• William James: Subjectivist, emphasized belief as tied to personal utility and psychological effects.

• John Dewey: Transactionist, focused on beliefs serving social ends through interaction; philosophy as a tool for societal restructuring.

Application to MBA and Housing Studies Dissertation Contexts

• In an MBA dissertation, pragmatism allows integrating qualitative and quantitative data (e.g., surveys, case studies) focused on solving practical business problems, emphasizing actionable knowledge to improve organizational effectiveness.

• In Housing Studies research, pragmatism supports interdisciplinary approaches combining economic data with sociological insights, acknowledging complex, real-world housing issues to generate applicable policy recommendations or social interventions.

The pragmatist framework encourages selecting methods and theories based on the specific research question and context, promoting relevance and impact in both fields."

A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.