Idealistic Studies

Volume 38, Issue 3, Fall 2008

Nicholas Rescher
Pages 147-150

The Uneasy Union of Ideality and Pragmatism in Inquiry

While ideals are by nature unrealizable, there are, nevertheless, many contexts in which their pursuit can be of enormous benefit. It may seem ironic but is a fact of life that the guidance afforded by “unrealistic” ideals can prove to be of enormous practical benefit.