Pragmatism: A Philosophy for Everyone | William James Pragmatism Lectures 1 & 2

Pragmatism is a philosophy that combines a pragmatic method with a genetic theory of truth. William James gave a series of 8 lectures explaining his version of this philosophy. He starts be noticing a dilemma in philosophy between the tender-minded and the tough-minded. The tender-minded philosophers were rationalist, religious, dogmatic, and abstract, while the tough-minded philosophers were empiricists, irreligious, skeptical, and materialists. James believes that pragmatism can offer a compromise between these two groups.
Pragmatism, to James, consists of a methodology and a theory of truth. The methodology of pragmatism focuses on the practical consequences an idea might cause if it were to be believed or not. This method moves away from abstractions and instead towards actual real world effects. James’ theory of truth sees truth as a mediator between the opinions we already hold and any new facts/arguments that we encounter in the world. Truth can therefore evolve and progress with new facts and arguments influencing our old opinions. #philosophy #williamjames #pragmatism
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[@alexfung2720]

istg you just read my mind. ever since i was a kid, I thought of all these therories and coming to a conclusion of that which defines pragmatism without any prior knowledge. thanks for helping me understand my identity, and that there are others who believe in this. Truly a life changer, and a moment to be remembered.

[@properpsychology1276]

"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes." - William James (The Father of American Psychology)

[@Gingnose]

I'm very fond of this school of thought. For example I'm atheist but no judgement about other's belief at all. My stance is that as long as the idea of God is helpful to a lot of people and net-positive to this world overall I'm totally fine (or desirable) with it and no objection at all. I find this very aligned to pragmatic view of world.

[@kaorimm118]

I did click on this video because of the drawing of young William James, but with that I am very glad to have watched a wonderful video after.

[@PhilosophyToons]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Yetuntitled]

Thanks to you I have a background in philosophy

[@theheckplays2252]

Young William James do got that drip tho! Also I haven't brushed up on my Aristotle in a while, but I feel like there's some parallels to be drawn between Aristotle's idea of prudence or practical wisdom and pragmatism as a whole. Also just gonna throw out that I much prefer your content and overall vibe to that of Sisyphus 55's

[@Devon-bf9xh]

Awesome video, you always make my day

[@xntxzone]

Im tenderminded I also would argue C.S Peirce is too because of his monism among other factors

[@svanstroll]

Hm... Thank for the good explanation! This is the kind of philosophy I've been intuitively formulating myself, as an engineer. Would you say that scientific method in poppers falsification sense is one and the same as this? This is what I feel. Theories and ideas as tools, that can be better or worse to solve specific problems. I also feel this applies to political problem solving in a democracy, with different political tools that needs to be combined to build something really good and lasting. And that all of rhese are really evolutions, since they filter out what works in reality and gets rid of the rest.

[@zacharyyoung1588]

Thanks i have to write an essay on pragmatism epistemology and this helps give me a better idea since you dont complicate it

[@frederickattafuah8651]

Great cooked video

[@jthewei]

13:29 hit me hard lol my curiosity is outrageous sometimes

[@redacted2312]

Great video as always! I have been thinking about studying pragmatism for some time now so this was a great intro to it Also This is kind of off topic but I am very interested in your view on Ayn Rand I have seen most of the Internet disregard her or scorn her but from what I’ve read (albeit I’ve haven’t read nearly enough or understood it probably, I’m a high school student)I found her quite sensible so your opinion on this would be quite interesting .

[@PhilosophyToons]

In terms of literature I wasn't the biggest fan of Atlas Shrugged, I didn't like how the love interest changed every time during the three parts lol. Epistemology wise I'm not the biggest fan but I'll also recognize that she has some ideas that are interesting to play around with and grapple with. I'm very rusty on Rand though so take what I say with a grain of salt.

[@sonicrevic4928]

Thank you very much for these videos. I am very interested in pragmatism, but sometimes the direct sources can be a bit intimidating.

[@PhilosophyToons]

Hopefully these videos help explain things

[@lebenergy247]

Terrific.

[@DrEnginerd1]

Is there a modern introductory book on pragmatism?

[@oiu6859]

This was uploaded on my birthday :D

[@genevievelangille9138]

I think there are other options besides skepticism and settling. For example, I believe in the truth and falsity of all theories simultaneously.

[@lillysky9889]

Love this as I settle on pragmatism as the best choice for my phd. Thanks for making this rad video👌👌👌

[@Ilhemworld]

Hey, a part of my PhD thesis is about American pragmatism, I'd like to have a chat with you if that's okay, maybe we can share ideas

[@qwerghjk5699]

well im here for that drawing, arent this it self a form of "pragmatism"? (:

[@Benjumanjo]

It seems that studying law has instilled a pragmatic philosophy in me without realizing it.

[@ChristopherBellew]

Love the cartoons

[@haynaramin425]

No, I clicked the video because a dump teacher did not explain this part and it is important for my exam lol

[@WisdomisPower-10inminute-dn5no]

This conversation has parallels to the themes I cover in my videos. I'm thrilled to find such shared interest.

[@PhilPhysics]

Nietzschean Sceptic.

[@PhilosophyToons]

Definitely pushed me that way too