Pragmatism

Pragmatism - William James - A profoundly influential figure in American psychology, William James (1842-1910) was also a philosopher of note who adopted Charles S. Peirce's theories as a basis for his own conception of pragmatism. For James, this meant an emphasis on "e;radical empiricism"e; and the concept that the meaning of any idea - philosophical, political, social, or otherwise - has validity only in terms of its experiential and practical consequences. In this book, James tests competing systems of thought in the "e;marketplace of actual experience"e; to determine their validity. In other words, he examines whether adopting a particular philosophical theory or way of looking at the world makes an actual difference in individual conduct. James not only makes a strong case for his own ideas but also mounts a powerful attack against the transcendental and rationalist tradition.