Editing Hu Shih (section)

=== Pragmatism ===
During his time at Columbia, Hu became a supporter of the school of [[Pragmatism]]. Hu translated "Pragmatism" as {{zhc|c=實驗主義|p=shíyànzhǔyì|l=experimental-ism}}.{{efn|The common contemporary Chinese word for "Pragmatism" is {{zhc|c=實用主義|p=shíyòngzhǔyì}}}} Hu's taking to the thinking reflected his own philosophical appeals. Before he encountered Dewey's works, he wrote in his diary that he was in a search of "practical philosophy" for the survival of the Chinese people, rather than deep and obscure systems. He was interested in {{zhl|l=methodologies|c=術}}.{{sfn|Hu|1948|pp=167–168}} Hu viewed Pragmatism as a scientific methodology for the study of philosophy. He appreciated the universality of such a scientific approach because he believed that such a methodology transcends the boundary of culture and therefore can be applied anywhere, including China during his time. Hu Shih was not so interested in the content of Dewey's philosophy, caring rather about the method, the attitude, and the scientific spirit.<ref>Hu Shih, 杜威先生與中國 (Mr. Dewey and China), dated 11 July 1921; 胡適文存 (Collected Essays of Hu Shih), ii, 533–537.</ref>

Hu saw all ideologies and abstract theories only as hypotheses waiting to be tested. The content of ideologies, Hu believed, was shaped by the background, political environment, and even the personality of the theorist. Thus these theories were confined within their temporality. Hu felt that only the attitude and spirit of an ideology could be universally applied. Therefore, Hu criticized any dogmatic application of ideologies. After Hu took over as the chief editor at Weekly Commentary ({{lang|zh|每周評論}}) in 1919, he criticized [[Li Dazhao]] and engaged in a heated debate regarding ideology and problem ({{lang|zh|問題與主義論戰}}). Hu writes in "A Third Discussion of Problems and Isms" ({{lang|zh|三問題與主義}}):{{blockquote|"Every isms and every theory should be studied, but they can only be viewed as hypothesis, not dogmatic credo; they can only be viewed as a source of reference, not as rules of religion; they can only be viewed as inspiring tools, not as absolute truth that halts any further critical thinkings. Only in this way can people cultivate creative intelligence, become able to solve specific problems, and emancipate from the superstition of abstract words."<ref>Hu Shih, 三論問題與主義 (A Third Discussion of Problems and Isms), 每週評論 no. 36, (Aug. 24, 1919); 胡適文存 (Collected Essays of Hu Shih), ii, 373.</ref>}}Throughout the literary works and other scholarships of Hu Shih, the presence of Pragmatism as a method is prevalent. Hu Shih avoided using an ill-defined scientific method. He described his own as experiential, inductive, verification-oriented, and evolutionary.<ref name="Chang2000">{{Cite journal |last=Chang |first=Han-liang |title=Hu Shih and John Dewey: 'scientific method' in the May Fourth era – China 1919 and after |year=2000 |journal=Comparative Criticism |volume=22 |pages=91–103 |url=https://www.academia.edu/10878653}}</ref>

Hu quotes Dewey's division of thought into five steps:
# A felt difficulty
# Its location and definition
# Suggestion of possible solution
# Development of the suggestions
# Further observation and experiment leads to acceptance or rejection.<ref name="Chang2000" />

Hu saw his life work as a consistent project of practicing the scientific spirit of Pragmatism as a lifestyle.