Pragmatic ethics facts for kids

Pragmatic ethics is a way of thinking about what is right and wrong. It focuses on how our ideas about morality can grow and change, much like science does.

What is Pragmatic Ethics?

Pragmatic ethics suggests that our understanding of what is "good" or "moral" isn't fixed. Instead, it can improve over time. Think of it like how science learns new things. What we thought was true yesterday might be updated with better ideas tomorrow.

How Does it Work?

This idea means that society can make progress in its moral understanding. Just as scientists test ideas (called hypotheses) and learn from experiments, societies can test different ways of living and decide what works best. If an idea about how to live together doesn't work well, it can be changed or replaced with a better one.

John Dewey's View

A famous thinker named John Dewey was a big supporter of pragmatic ethics. He believed that a society's moral progress is closely linked to its progress in science. He thought that by using a scientific approach – testing ideas, observing results, and being open to new information – we can also improve our moral rules and values. This means that what is considered "right" can evolve as we learn more and as society changes.