7–20643.
“A popular presentation of pragmatism. Professor James claims Socrates, Aristotle, Locke, Berkeley and Hume as pragmatists. But these “forerunners of pragmatism used it in fragments; they were a prelude only. Not until in our time has it generalised itself.” The volumes teach that truth comprises all principles, ideas, and beliefs that lead in the long run to the best practical results. Pragmatism is the same method in philosophy that utilitarianism is in ethics, which pronounces monogamy right and gambling wrong, not by previous intuition, but by the test of experience. What wears best is good; and, because proved good, is true.” (Outlook.)
“We should not be doing justice to Professor James’s style did we not refer to the colloquialisms and American slang which abound in the book.”
| + − | Acad. 73: 772. Ag. 10, ’07. 1180w. |
Reviewed by I. Woodbridge Riley.
| Bookm. 26: 215. O. ’07. 2070w. |
“His presentation of the pragmatic method is of course unique by reason of the author’s own charming literary style, comprehensive knowledge of philosophy, literature and philosophy, literature and philosophical principles, and great skill as an expositor.”
| + | Educ. R. 34: 430. N. ’07. 80w. | |
| + | Ind. 63: 630. S. 12, ’07. 930w. |
“The lectures contain nothing new, and, on the whole, nothing that was not more concisely put in some of these previous pronouncements; but it is always a pleasure to hear Professor James talking.”