Pragmatism

Pragmatism by William James remains one of the most important books in American philosophy. As a pragmatist, James contended that most philosophical topics—such as the nature of knowledge, language, concepts, meaning, belief, and science—are all best viewed in terms of their practical uses and successes. Drawing on the writings of Charles S. Pierce, James, in these pages, posited a competition in the marketplace of ideas. Does adopting one philosophy (or way of seeing the world) versus another philosophy make a difference in how we see the world and how we conduct ourselves within that world?A Classic in American philosophy, Pragmatism makes the case that any philosophical theory should not incorporate supernatural or transempirical entities. James’ notion of Radical Empiricism is a theory of knowledge that emphasizes the role of experience, especially sensory perception, in the formation of ideas.