Pragmatism

William James and Pragmatisms Debate for American Studies

Definition

pragmatism prag·ma·tism \ˈprag-mə-ˌti-zəm\ Function: noun Date: circa 1864

1 : a practical approach to problems and affairs <tried to strike a balance between principles and pragmatism> 2 : an American movement in philosophy founded by C. S. Peirce and William James and marked by the doctrines that the meaning of conceptions is to be sought in their practical bearings, that the function of thought is to guide action, and that truth is preeminently to be tested by the practical consequences of belief — prag·ma·tist Listen to the pronunciation of pragmatist \-mə-tist\ adjective or noun — prag·ma·tis·tic Listen to the pronunciation of pragmatistic \ˌprag-mə-ˈtis-tik\ adjective

Plaz's notes

mental vs physical (social Darwinism)
Soul is immortal
Looking into our minds
Mental strength
Experience over fixed strength
Consciousness of self
Meaning of ideas are important to their conciseness
- What matters is the result
- not the process (like the ideological)
Change society - not everyone for themselves
Human mind changes process
- Can affect Darwin's evolution by adaption (glasses help people see so they are not killed)
Human mind is capable of fixing problems
Humans are more powerful of nation
- Can solve problems
if we put our minds to it we can solve problems

William James

Encarta

founded psychology
- scientific, experimenting part
- before philosophers just said things
  - Can't be tested
- Needed meaningful theories
- Interrelations in the world important and real
- Things are not because absolute effect
studies by John Dewey
Albert Einstein validated his inter relations theory

Pragmatism

ideas and theories should be tested in progress
- does it produce results?
No absolute truths
All claims about truth, knowledge, morality, and politics
American distrust in abstract theories and ideologies
American faith in know how and practicality

theories = tentative hypothesis
society must be geared towards problem solving
middle course between traditionalism and nihilism and irrationalism
revolutionary since no absolutes
influenced philosophy and cultural criticism
influenced progressive movement and social reform

Social Darwinist

social survival of the fittest
laissez-faire political and economic systems
- typically deny "law of the jungle"
- but that is why some people are more ahead than others
explains racism and capitalism
rejection of compassion and social responsibility