Pragmatic Action

Pragmatic Action

This paper begins with a discussion of two features of the everyday task environment. First, the everyday task environment is designed, and an important part of the design is the provision of explicit information to guide the individual in the adaptation of his activity. Second, some task environments are semipermanent. These two features of the task environment reveal some important characteri...

Pragmatic encroachment and epistemically responsible action

On Distinguishing Epistemic from Pragmatic Action

We present data and argument to show that in Tetris-a real-time, interactive video game-certain cognitive and perceptual problems ore more quicktv, easily, and reliably solved by performing actions in the world than by performing computational actions in the head atone. We have found that some of the translations and rotations made by players of this video game are best understood as actions th...

Pragmatic Fieldwork: Qualitative Research for Creative Democracy and Social Action

This paper sets the foundation for a new method for addressing social problems called pragmatic fieldwork. I developed the method while working with nonprofit organizations that serve homeless youth and young adults. The approach is informed by qualitative research, participatory action research, and the philosophical tradition of pragmatism. In this text, I lay out the methodological framework...

On Distinguishing Epistemic 1 On Distinguishing Epistemic from Pragmatic Action

We present data and argument to show that in Tetris|a real-time, interactive video-game|certain cognitive and perceptual problems are more quickly, easily, and reliably solved by performing actions in the world than by performing computational actions in the head alone. We have found that some of the translations and rotations made by players of this video-game are best understood as actions th...