Pragmatism

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

Links

• William james on Encarta: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ah57cjpv95pz_44g5hg5jjk

http://www.radicalacademy.com/philjames.htm http://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/us/james.htm