Pragmatism Against the Slope of Lunacy

Abstract While I emphatically share Pihlström’s alarm about the “lunacy” of contemporary politics and the grave threat of fascistic, conservative, and authoritative movements presently wrecking democracy around the globe, I do not, however, accept Pihlström’s argument about the pragmatic method precisely as a method for reconciliation. I contend that pragmatism should not be consolidated to a method, for mediation and reconciliation are not pragmatically useful today . Moreover, I submit that instead of mediation and reconciliation, pragmatism should concern itself with experience and transformation . I ultimately suggest we not depend on reifying methods that promise reconciliation; instead, embrace experience by attacking conflicts individually and look to transformation as a goal.