Exam 15: The Pragmatist: William James

What did James believe we have a basic obligation to do?

Who did James think had historically dominated philosophy?

James referred to theories as "conceptual shorthand."

For James, truth is always

What is not a tender-minded trait?

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?

Much of James' work is couched in feminine terms.

Pragmatism is a male philosophy.

James was affiliated with Harvard for all his professional life.

James used pragmatism to reject religion.

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.

How do the views of James and Peirce differ? Which do you think is the most persuasive and why?

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

James called on individuals to be consciously responsible for their lives.

Pragmatism is a rationalist philosophy.

What is "pragmatic truth"?

Peirce advocated pragmaticism.

Which philosophical approach contradicts itself?

William James was a pragmatist.

James saw pragmatism primarily as a collection of truths.