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Pragmatism (Notable American Authors)

by William James (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 182 ratings
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This book contains some popular lectures on philosophy in which Mr. James has sought to unify the picture as it presents itself to his eyes, dealing in broad strokes and avoiding minute controversy. Contents: present dilemma in philosophy; what pragmatism means; some metaphysical problems pragmatically considered; the one and the many; pragmatism and common sense; pragmatism's conception of truth; pragmatism and humanism; pragmatism and religion.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0781234778
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0781234771
  3. Publisher
    Reprint Services Corp
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 1907
  5. Language
    English
  6. Print length
    309 pages
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Reprint Services Corp (January 1, 1907)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Library Binding ‏ : ‎ 309 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0781234778
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0781234771
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.55 pounds
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 182 ratings

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
182 global ratings
From the Publisher
5 Stars
From the Publisher
"The word 'pragmatism' is used everywhere today, from business to sports to politics. Although the word hadn't yet entered everyday language when William James published Pragmatism in 1907, the philosopher believed its doctrine had virtually become common sense in twentieth-century America. For James, pragmatism was a specific philosophical alternative to essentialism and foundationalism and argued that ideas are meaningful only insofar as they have practical consequences in concrete human experience; however today pragmatism has come to denote merely a general willingness to compromise principles, even to the point of selfishness or irresponsibility. Written in an engaging and accessible style, Pragmatism is a valuable corrective to modern uses of the word, since the voice that speaks in its pages embodies precisely the opposite values from the pejorative senses the word has acquired."
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Top reviews from the United States

Douglas Steele
5.0 out of 5 stars It holds up!
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2019
Verified Purchase
This book is a great pace for anyone to start who isn’t fully enveloped in this philosophy. Although having references made and language that may not hold up to today’s standards, what is easily understandable and translatable makes sense and aids learning! I couldn’t be more happy with my purchase, as it answered all the questions I’ve had, or more or less made me ask more! Definitely reccomend this book
2 people found this helpful
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Gypsy Samuels
5.0 out of 5 stars Yes buy this book
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2018
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Almost anything written by James is worth reading. The idea here is not "apply" anything in a very modern fashion. The journey is the reward. You just want to be beside him while he is thinking.
3 people found this helpful
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James E. Mitchell
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, badly printed
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2023
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Really great book, but beware that the glue-binding is poorly done and pages like to fall out.
4 people found this helpful
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Sheridan
5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a brilliant work of philosophy that is too often ignored in ...
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2017
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Truly a brilliant work of philosophy that is too often ignored in modern American philosophy. If the truth is what works, then this book is full of truths.
7 people found this helpful
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Wesley A Morris
5.0 out of 5 stars Underrated
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2013
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The bastardization of the term "pragmatism" is most unfortunate, and thus this book is certainly worthwhile reading, even for sophisticated students of philosophy, if only to disabuse them of certain widely-held misunderstandings of the approach.
4 people found this helpful
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AVID READER
5.0 out of 5 stars great
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2019
Verified Purchase
as advertised
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T. Hollins
3.0 out of 5 stars Not a great lecture. Couldn't make it through it.
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2013
Verified Purchase
I just couldn't finish this. I couldn't follow what he was saying. I'm assuming that its my current state of mind. Maybe if I were in a different mood or more interested in this, I might be able to understand what he is saying and where he is going with his argument. However, maybe the setup that he is doing is just the way things were done in his time.
I didn't hate it (2 stars), and I don't want to dissuade others because if your are REALLY interested, then I'm sure you will understand this lecture and probably enjoy it and probably learn something.
2 people found this helpful
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Jack Chang
5.0 out of 5 stars good
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2013
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From the content, book condition to delivery time, item price, I feel that all as good as or even better than i expected
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Top reviews from other countries

W. M. Hartwig-compton
5.0 out of 5 stars good
Reviewed in France on December 26, 2014
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A very interesting and thought-provoking book about William James, whose philosophy is fresh and logical. Well written and a pleasure to read.
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MR P.
2.0 out of 5 stars Being Pragmatic, There Are Better Texts.....
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 23, 2010
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This is going to make me sound like a "prole", but I say this in full appreciation of his status as the father of pragmatism and with respect to the age of the text, but this is really, incredibly, boring and dull. There are more exciting and relevant-to-today texts on the subject.
One person found this helpful
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