Discussion Forum Unit 1
Riccardo Cambio
University of the People
PHIL 1402-01: Introduction to Philosophy
Instructor: Dr. Stephen Ababio
November 14, 2025
Philosophy in Everyday Life: Between Action, Facts, and Relativity
Hi everyone,
Reflecting on Pragmatism, Positivism, and Relativism, I realize that these philosophical currents
are not just abstract concepts—they genuinely influence the way we think and act, often without
us even noticing. I’d like to share a few personal experiences that have helped me recognize each
of these schools in my everyday life.
When it comes to Pragmatism, I experienced it clearly a few weeks ago. I was working on an
important document on my computer when suddenly the Wi-Fi stopped working. At that
moment, I didn’t ask myself, “What is the technical cause of the problem?” Instead, I started
trying concrete solutions: restarting the router, turning the Wi-Fi off and on, and finally using an
Ethernet cable. I realized that what matters is not finding the “abstract truth” about the problem,
but figuring out what actually works in practice. This is exactly the pragmatic approach, which
evaluates ideas based on their consequences and tangible results (The Internet Encyclopedia of
Philosophy, n.d.).
As for Positivism, I experienced it during a university project where I had to analyze data on
consumer behavior. At first, I relied on personal intuitions based on superficial observations, but
I quickly realized that wasn’t enough. I needed to verify the information with actual data,
samples, and clear methods. Only then could my conclusions be meaningful. This experience
made me appreciate the positivist approach, which emphasizes the importance of grounding our
claims in measurable and verifiable evidence (Mellone, 1897).
Regarding Relativism, a personal example comes from a trip I took a few years ago to the
Netherlands. I remember being invited to dinner by a Dutch family and feeling a little out of
place because some habits that seemed natural to me—like offering small gifts or giving open
compliments—were interpreted very differently. I realized that there is no “universal handbook”
for proper behavior: what is considered appropriate depends on the cultural context. This
experience made me reflect on how important it is to understand the values and norms of a
community before judging others’ actions, just as Lebow (2009) highlights with the Greek
concept of peithō, an authentic form of persuasion that builds shared identities.
Among these three perspectives, I identify most with Pragmatism in my daily approach.
Whenever I have to make decisions or face unexpected problems, I always ask myself: “Does
this choice actually work in practice?” or “Which solution produces tangible results?” I find that
this action-oriented approach helps me avoid unnecessary debates and focus on what really
matters, like a craftsman choosing the right tool to get the job done.
Everyday value of these schools of thought:
To conclude, here’s a brief summary of the value I associate with each school:
Pragmatism: teaches us to focus on practical and effective solutions.
Positivism: guides us to base our opinions on verifiable data, helping us avoid mistakes
and misinformation.
Relativism: helps us understand and respect different cultural and personal perspectives,
fostering authentic dialogue.
What about you? Have you ever noticed situations in your life where one of these currents
guided the way you thought or acted? Which one resonates with you the most.
References
Lebow, R. N. (June 9, 2008). The Ancient Greeks and Modern Realism: Ethics, Persuasion, and
Power. In Bell, D. (Ed.), Political Thought and International Relations (26-40). Verlag: Oxford
University Press.
Mellone, S.H. (1897). Some of the Leading Ideas of Comte's Positivism. International Journal of
Ethics, 8(1), 73-86.
PRAGMATISM: DEFINITION AND PHILOSOPHERS.” Philosophy and Philosophers,
[Link]