Review questions

1) – What is the central purpose of the pragmatic method according to James?

2) - How does the pragmatic method work?

3) – Explains James’ dictum: “There can be no difference anywhere that doesn’t make a

difference elsewhere” (p. 293)

4) – Why does James say that there is nothing new n the pragmatic maxim?

5) – What attitude does the pragmatism represent? (p. 293)

6) -  Pragmatism rejects: (a) inveterate habits, (b) abstraction and insufficiency, (c) verbal solutions, (d) bad a priori reasoning, (e) from fixed principles, (f) closed systems,(g) pretended absolutes, and (h) finality in truth. Explain why pragmatism means the denial  and rejection of these other methods.

7) – Explain why pragmatism is a “method only” (p. 293) “It stands for no particular results. It has no dogmas and no doctrines save its method” (p. 293)

8) – What has been the problem with the metaphysical quest in the past?

9) - How does James believe that the pragmatic method can help?

10) What does James mean that pragmatism can “bring out of each word its practical cash-

       value?” (p. 294)

11) – Explain the following claim: “Theories thus become instruments, not answers to enigmas, in

       which we can rest” (p. 294) 

12) – How is Pragmatism related to the following: (a) nominalism, (b) utilitarianism, (c)

       positivism.

13) - Explain why pragmatism is like a corridor in a hotel? (Papini)

14) – Elaborate on James definition: “No particular results then, but only an attitude of orientation, is what the pragmatic method means. The attitude of looking away from first things, principles, ‘categories,’ supposed necessities; and of looking towards last things, fruits consequences, facts”

TRUTH

15)  James describes our understanding of the laws of natures as follows: “Their great use is to summarize old facts and to lead to new ones. They are only a man-made language, a conceptual shorthand, as some one calls them, in which we write our reports of nature; and languages, as is well known, tolerate much choice of expression and many dialects” (p. 296) What can be learned about James’ conception of truth from his comparing the truths of the laws of nature with language. How does it compare to Peirce’s conception?

16) Explain James’ definition of truth as “that ideas (which themselves are parts of our experience) become true just in so far as they help us to get into satisfactory relation with other parts of our experience”(p. 297).

17) What does James mean by “true instrumentally”? (p. 297)

18) Is James’ notion of truth subjective or objective?