Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking

James uses this term to refer to mankind’s ordinary perceptions of reality, which are separate from the discoveries of philosophy and science, and which continue to guide most of us in everyday life. Philosophy and science help us to look beyond our commonsense perceptions and insights, using their own methodology to see deeper into reality.

This is James’s term for the philosophy of George Berkeley, David Hume, Emanuel Kant, and later thinkers, which questioned commonly held metaphysical assumptions about the nature of reality, knowledge, etc. James sees both critical philosophy and modern science as involved in expanding our knowledge beyond commonsense intuitions toward a wider understanding of reality.

An emphasis on experience, especially sense experience, as the main or sole source of knowledge. James identifies more with empiricism than with rationalism (see below), and the pragmatism he advocates also leans toward empiricist techniques. However, James stresses that despite favoring the empirical, pragmatism still leaves room for rationalist ideas insofar as they have practical value.

A term with a number of meanings in intellectual history, humanism typically refers to a philosophical stance that emphasizes the agency of human beings. James uses it, in imitation of philosopher F.C.S. Schiller, to refer specifically to the idea that human beings can affect reality and truth. In Lecture 7, James draws this idea into pragmatism by accentuating how human nature colors our perception of truth. James describes his version of humanism as being more or less synonymous with pragmatism.

The doctrine that the world tends to become better or may be made better by human effort (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. S.v. "meliorism."). This concept is central to James’s argument in Lecture 8 and constitutes his own pragmatic proposal for religious faith.

A pair of opposing terms pertaining to the philosophical problem of the one and the many. Monism sees the universe (or world) as consisting of a single cohesive system. Pluralism sees the universe as consisting of a diversity of parts working in cooperation, with variety rather than unity being the determining factor. James sees pragmatism as leaning toward pluralism.

A philosophical movement that stresses practical consequences as constituting the essential criterion in determining meaning, truth, or value (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. S.v. "pragmatism."). Pragmatism was first propounded by Charles Sanders Peirce in 1878 and was developed and popularized by James.