What Drove Daisy to Death?: Critical Reading of Pragmatism in Daisy Miller

무엇이 데이지를 죽음으로 몰고 갔는가?: 데이지 밀러 에 나타난 실용주의 비판적으로 읽기 *

Horkheimer’s concept of instrumental reason refers to the reasoning and calculating abilities of Reason, and it is concerned only with determining the effective means to a goal, not with ends in themselves. Horkheimer takes it seriously that nowadays instrumental reason represents Reason, dominating people’s mind. In this regard, Horkheimer harshly criticizes pragmatism, arguing that pragmatism brought about highlighting instrumental reason by worshipping scientific thinking that requires the calculating, classifying, and inferring abilities of Reason. Peirce, who formed the basis of pragmatism, claims that one can define the meaning of his experimental object if practical bearings result from the experiment. Since Peirce’s method of approach is empirical, there is room for error. In Daisy Miller Winterbourne reflects Peirce’s thinking. Winterbourne is mesmerized by Daisy when he first saw her, but he makes inquiries about what practical bearings their relationship would result in. He keeps watching her, as if a scientist conducts an experiment. Winterbourne’s pragmatic attitude as such and his error in understanding Daisy drive her to death after all.