Exam 15: The Pragmatist: William James

Which philosophical approach contradicts itself?

What is man a subject for, according to Mark Twain?

James was affiliated with Harvard for all his professional life.

Peirce wanted to develop a philosophy free of meaningless abstractions.

Pragmatism is a rationalist philosophy.

According to James, one of the regular fruits of overstudious philosophy is

What is pragmatic truth ?

Is science any more objective than religion, according to James? What implications might his view have for current discussions on teaching creationism in science classes? Do you agree with James here?

Pragmatism has no theory of meaning.

What is not a tender-minded trait?

William James said that we necessarily disbelieve any facts that are not useful to us.

James saw pragmatism as a

Pragmatism is a male philosophy.

William James was a pragmatist.

Peirce rejected the views of the empiricists.

Do you believe that you have free will? Justify your view, taking into account the arguments of both James and Stace as you do so.

The first expression of pragmatism appears in the work of C. S. Pierce.

Much of James s work is couched in feminine terms.

Rationalists believe that truth is

Which of the four major ancient schools of thought is James pragmatism closest to? In answering this question you should outline the relevant aspects of each school of thought, and show how it is similar to, or different from, that of James pragmatism.