Pragmatism by William James
The book in question is a seminal work in the philosophical tradition of pragmatism, which argues that the truth of ideas is measured not by their correspondence to an objective reality, but by their practical effects and utility. The author challenges the notion of fixed, absolute truths, proposing instead that beliefs should be seen as tools for action and that their validity depends on their success in solving problems and guiding experiences. Through a series of lectures, the text explores the implications of this philosophy for various fields, including religion, metaphysics, and science, ultimately advocating for a more flexible, open-ended approach to thinking and a tolerance for diverse perspectives in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
The 583rd greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1907
- Nationality
- American
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Pages
- 100-200
- Words
- 48,000
- Original Language
- English
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This book is on the following lists:
- 15th on The Modern Philosophical Classics (The Philosophical Forum)
- 100 Most Influential Books of the Century (Boston Public Library)
- The 100 Most Influential Books Ever Written (Martin Seymour-Smith)
- The New Lifetime Reading Plan (The New Lifetime Reading Plan)
- Masterpieces of World Literature (Frank N. Magill)
- Harold Bloom's The Western Canon (The Western Canon (Book) by Harold Bloom)
- Books That Shaped America (Library of Congress)
- Great Books of the Western World (Great Books Foundation)
- The Twenty Greatest Philosophy Books (Book from 2006) (James Garvey)