Pragmatism · Character

Pragmatism

A method that asks what concrete difference a belief makes, collapsing disputes into insignificance when no practical consequence can be traced.

major

Also known as pragmatism, Pragmatism

First appearance: Pragmatism

As a major figure in Pragmatism, Pragmatism is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Pragmatism is presented as a method and a new name for old ways of thinking, central to the chapter.

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In Pragmatism: Pragmatism is presented as a method and a new name for old ways of thinking, central to the chapter. Later, in Lecture I: The Present Dilemma in Philosophy: Pragmatism is introduced as the philosophical…

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Pragmatism's Philosophical Lineage
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Pragmatism appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Pragmatism
Pragmatism is presented as a method and a new name for old ways of thinking, central to the chapter.
Lecture I: The Present Dilemma in Philosophy
Pragmatism is introduced as the philosophical tendency James will advocate, though not yet fully defined.
Lecture III: Some Metaphysical Problems Pragmatically Considered
The pragmatic method is applied to the substance problem and the materialism vs. theism debate, showing that concepts must be judged by their practical consequences.
Lecture IV: The One and the Many
The pragmatic method is applied to the problem of unity, focusing on the practical consequences of oneness and manyness.
Lecture VI: Pragmatism's Conception of Truth
The central concept of the lecture, defined as the method that asks about the cash-value of truth in experiential terms.
Lecture VII: Pragmatism and Humanism
Pragmatism is presented as the philosophical stance that truth grows within finite experiences and that the universe is unfinished and pluralistic.
Lecture VIII: Pragmatism and Religion
Presented as the mediator between tough-minded and tender-minded views, and as a method for evaluating religious hypotheses.

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