Chapter 15 Flashcards
What is pragmatism?
“deed” -truth is determined in terms of practical consequences
ideas are true when they get you to act on it
Give an example of the pragmatic method of James?
pragmatic method: settles metaphysical disputes.
has to show a practical difference.
ie: monism vs. dualism. it doesn’t matter because the stuff is there… that is all that matters
For James, what counts as a ‘true idea’ and what counts as a ‘false idea?’ Why?
True ideas: ones we can verify or validate. you can incorporate and it produces a good result.
False ideas are ones we cannot
because we need real life evidence to make truth
What does James mean when he says, “truth happens to an idea” and/or “truth grows?”
We do not accept an idea to be truth until we begin to expiriment it or relate it to our life experiences. an idea may be true at some point in history, until another idea that provides better results presents itself.
What is determinism? How does James use the pragmatic method to defeat determinism?
Belief that everything that happens must happen exactly that way it does because all matter is governed by cause and effect.
He overcomes this by saying: our emotions do not reflect it. when we read about a murder we feel regret, but is is illogical. We need to believe is free will.
Why does James think religious belief is important to society?
He thinks that it expands peoples conciousness, and is a huge drive for people.
What does James mean when he says we need to search for beliefs that “pay,” that have “cash value?”
We need beliefs that better us. That make us feel “at home. That drive us to be better.
