Pragmatism

Paper Summary:

The paper overviews the philosophies of William James, W.E.B. Dubois and John Dewey and notes that each of these philosophers contributed their own particular ideas to pragmatism and to the philosophical direction as a whole. The paper relates that the truth in pragmatist philosophy lies in the quest for ever-elusive answers, which in turn become questions, and this is what becomes the point of departure for all three philosophers.

Outline:
William James
W.E.B. Dubois
John Dewey

From the Paper:

"Pragmatism is a movement of philosophy that originated in the United States. The pragmatist strongly relies on the practical outcomes of ideas in order to arrive not only at the meaning of an idea, but also at its truth. In doing this, such philosophers follow an antiabsolutist paradigm, which holds that no principle of philosophy is binding, and that all ideas should be regarded as working hypotheses rather than binding principles. Pragmatism was much influenced by scientific and social developments, and as such was also very critical of traditional philosophies. While Charles Sanders Peirce is regarded as the founder of this philosophical direction, his successors include William James, W.E.B. Dubois, and John Dewey. Each of these philosophers contributed their own particular ideas not only to pragmatism, but via pragmatism also to the philosophical direction as a whole."

Sample of Sources Used:

• James, William. Lecture II: What Pragmatism Means. The Library of America, 1906. http://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/us/james.htm
• McSwine, Bartley L. The Educational Philosophy of W.E.B. Dubois. Philosophy of Education, 1998. http://www.ed.uiuc.edu/EPS/PES-Yearbook/1998/mcswine.html#fn4
• The Radical Academy. American Pragmatism. 2003. http://www.radicalacademy.com/amphilosophy7a.htm

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