WILLIAM JAMES

ON PRAGMATISM
Julián R. González
DOCTRINE OF TRUTH
PRAGMATISM IS A
“MEDIATOR OR
RECONCILER”

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“…Just as certain foods are not only
agreeable to our taste, but good for our
teeth, our stomach and our tissues; so
certain ideas are not only agreeable to
think about, or agreeable as supporting
other ideas that we are fond of, but they
are also helpful in life’s practical
struggles” –James, 250

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 BETTER LIFE/BETTER IDEAS

• Better Life = Advacement

• Better Ideas = Advancement
• New ideas cannot contradict
more vital ones
• Ideas that are most practical win
 OBLIGATION: BELIEVE WHAT IS BETTER
BETTER BELIEFS = TRUE FOR US
THE TEST: WHICH IDEA SERVES ME BEST?

Idea a1 Idea a2 Idea a3

Experience Experience Experience

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THE PRAGMATIC TEST OF TRUTH
• 1.) Is it better for us to believe?
• 2.) Does it contradict a better
belief we already have?
• Test of Probable Truth

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CLOCK IMAGINED
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DRAW CLOCK
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CLOCK IS COPY
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IDEA SERVES YOU TRULY

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TRUE IDEAS COPY OUR REALITY

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 USEFULNESS
1. What difference does a true idea/belief make?
2. What is the realization of truth?
3. What is the reality if an idea is false?

“What, in short, is the truth’s cash-value in

experiential terms?” (255).

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PRACTICAL DIFFERENCE

• True Ideas: Assimilate, Validate,

Corroborate & Verify
• False Ideas: Cannot Perform
Functions
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TRUTH HAPPENS TO AN IDEA

• Truthfulness is not static

• Truth comes as result
• Truthfulness occurrence &
procedure

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 SIGNIFICANCE OF TRUTH BELIEFS

• Impactful events-Useful or Harmful

• True Ideas help us navigate
• Truth is not an end in itself, but first step

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LOST IN THE WOODS
• Usefulness Truthfulness Relation
• Random House only useful in lost
scenario
• Stockpile Extra Truths
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WORTHWHILE TRUTH
• Truth inspires return
• Tesla self-driving system
• Truth as guide

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WE HERE ASSUME
JAPAN TO EXIST
WITHOUT EVER
HAVING BEEN THERE
BECAUSE IT WORKS TO
DO SO. (JAMES 259)
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COMMUNAL TRUTH
• Truth like Credit System
• Verfications required
• System can fail

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2 SORTS OF TRUE
• 1. Indirectly or potentially
verified
• 2. Fully Verified
CONCLUSION
•Absolute false
is only absolute