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The book is a comprehensive exploration of the philosophical approach of Pragmatism, which emphasizes the importance of practical consequences and experience in determining truth and meaning. The author argues that Pragmatism is not a rejection of traditional philosophy, but rather an evolution of it, and that it has arisen naturally in the course of philosophical reflection. The book delves into the roots of Pragmatism in various fields, including science, Darwinism, and psychology, and discusses the key ideas of prominent Pragmatist thinkers such as William James and F.C.S. Schiller. The author examines the implications of Pragmatism for our understanding of truth, knowledge, and reality, and argues that it offers a more practical and effective approach to philosophy than traditional intellectualism. The book also explores the concept of "The New Psychology" and its relation to Pragmatism, the role of the will in cognition, and the doctrine of postulation, which suggests that principles and facts are selected and tested based on their usefulness and fitness for a particular purpose. Additionally, the book discusses the dilemmas of dogmatism, the problem of truth and error, and the failure of formal logic in addressing these problems. The author critiques traditional intellectualism and proposes a pragmatic approach that considers the practical consequences and values of beliefs. The book concludes by highlighting the importance of humanism, which emphasizes the importance of valuations and purposes in human life, and the need to recognize that reality is plastic and can be improved through human effort. Overall, the book presents a compelling case for the relevance and importance of Pragmatism in modern philosophy, and its potential to provide a more practical and effective approach to understanding truth, knowledge, and reality.
The chapter discusses the concept of Pragmatism, a philosophical approach that emphasizes the importance of practical consequences and experience in determining truth and meaning. The author argues that Pragmatism is not a rejection of traditional philosophy, but rather an evolution of it, and that it has arisen naturally in the course of philosophical reflection. The chapter explores the roots of Pragmatism in various fields, including science, Darwinism, and psychology, and discusses the key ideas of prominent Pragmatist thinkers such as William James and F.C.S. Schiller. The author also examines the implications of Pragmatism for our understanding of truth, knowledge, and reality, and argues that it offers a more practical and effective approach to philosophy than traditional intellectualism.
The chapter discusses the concept of "The New Psychology" as it relates to Pragmatism, a philosophical approach that emphasizes practical consequences and experience. It explores how William James's work in psychology, particularly his book "Principles of Psychology," challenged the traditional view of the mind as a collection of separate sensations, instead proposing that experience is a continuum. The chapter also delves into the implications of this new psychology on our understanding of truth, knowledge, and reality, and how it leads to a more practical and effective approach to philosophy. Additionally, it touches on the idea that all analysis is a choice inspired by volitions, and that the mind is active in handling experience, emphasizing certain portions of the flux and neglecting others. The chapter concludes by highlighting the significance of James's work in transforming philosophy and paving the way for a new theory of knowledge.
This chapter explores the concept of "Will in Cognition" and its relation to Pragmatism. The author discusses how the new psychology of William James, which emphasizes the importance of experience and the role of the will in shaping our beliefs, leads to a new theory of knowledge. The chapter also introduces the doctrine of postulation, which suggests that principles and facts are selected and tested based on their usefulness and fitness for a particular purpose. The author argues that this approach is more practical and effective than traditional intellectualism, which relies on absolute truths and rigid logical systems. The chapter also touches on the idea that truth is not a fixed or absolute concept, but rather a value that is dependent on the consequences of our actions and the satisfaction of our needs and desires.
The chapter discusses the dilemmas of dogmatism, which is the tendency to hold one's beliefs as absolute and unshakeable. The author argues that dogmatism is a natural instinct, but it becomes problematic when it encounters conflicting beliefs and opinions. The chapter explores the various attempts to resolve these dilemmas, including relativism and absolutism, and critiques the intellectualist approach to truth, which relies on absolute standards and criteria. The author suggests that a more pragmatic approach to truth, which considers the practical consequences and values of beliefs, may be a more effective way to navigate the complexities of truth and error. The chapter also touches on the concept of postulation, which involves selecting and testing principles and facts based on their usefulness and fitness for a particular purpose.
The chapter discusses the problem of truth and error, and how pragmatism offers a solution to this problem. It argues that traditional intellectualism has failed to provide a satisfactory account of truth, and that pragmatism's emphasis on practical consequences and experience can help to distinguish between true and false beliefs. The chapter also explores the concept of "truth-claims" and how they can be validated or invalidated through experience and testing. Additionally, it critiques traditional definitions of truth, such as the correspondence theory, and argues that pragmatism's approach to truth is more practical and effective.
The chapter discusses the failure of formal logic in addressing the problems of truth and error. It argues that formal logic is abstract and detached from the concrete context of human thought and experience, leading to verbalism and an inability to distinguish between true and false judgments. The chapter also critiques the intellectualist approach to truth, which relies on absolute standards and criteria, and instead proposes a pragmatic approach that considers the practical consequences and values of beliefs. Additionally, it touches on the concept of postulation, which involves selecting and testing principles and facts based on their usefulness and fitness for a particular purpose. The chapter concludes by highlighting the limitations of formal logic and the need for a more practical and effective approach to philosophy.
The chapter discusses the bankruptcy of intellectualism and the need for a new approach to philosophy. Intellectualism is criticized for severing the intellect from its natural connection with human activity, assuming that thought can be considered apart from the personality of the human thinker, and ignoring the will to know and the value of knowing. The chapter argues that intellectualism has led to a host of problems, including the inability to distinguish between truth and error, understand the correction of error, or understand the existence of error or the meaning of truth. The pragmatic method is presented as an alternative, which observes the consequences of ideas and actions to discriminate between truth and error. The chapter also introduces the concept of humanism, which emphasizes the importance of valuations and purposes in human life. Humanism is seen as a way to rescue the intellect from bankruptcy by recognizing that truth is practical and has a biological function and vital value. The chapter concludes by highlighting the importance of humanism in providing a new perspective on the role of thought in human life and the need to recognize that reality is plastic and can be improved through human effort.
The chapter discusses the relationship between thought and life, and how pragmatism brings philosophy into relation with real life and action. It argues that thought is not a self-centered activity, but rather an act with a person behind it, who is responsible for launching it into the world of fact. The chapter also introduces the concept of humanism, which emphasizes the importance of valuations and purposes in human life. Humanism recognizes that reality is plastic and can be improved through human effort, and that every person has a duty and power to play their part in shaping reality. The chapter concludes by highlighting the superiority of humanism in providing a new perspective on the role of thought in human life, and its emphasis on the importance of action, correction of errors, and progress.