The theoretical question of the practical considerations: Some Carnapian reflections

In spite of some interesting recent research, Carnap’s emphasis on the bearing of the practical features on the constitution of knowledge is not duly appreciated yet. A few decades before the emerging thrill about the pragmatic encroachment in epistemology, it was Carnap who, inspired by the accomplishments of the pragmatists, had made some lasting remarks about the bearing of the essentially non-epistemic factors on the formation of knowledge. To be more precise, he not only took the practical factors into account in his theory of knowledge, but also made some efforts at bridging the gap between semantics and pragmatics in the way of dealing with some fundamental epistemological questions. Just as was the case with the shift from syntax to semantics, this underestimated pragmatic move brings about a smooth and flowing change, with both gains and losses. The influence of this pragmatic move in coming to a comprehensive theory of knowledge is to be exposed in this paper.