The Meaning of Truth Section II (Lectures VIII -XV) Summary and Analysis

Lecture VIII - The Pragmatist Account of Truth and its Misunderstanders

In lecture VIII, James explores critique of the theory of pragmatism. The critics make several statements about pragmatism including: it is a re-vision of positivism; pragmatism is a call to action; and pragmatists are not realists because they believe in the subjective. James refutes all of these criticisms. He goes on to state that pragmatism is not against solipsism; objective reality is not necessary.

Lecture IX - The Meaning of the Word Truth

In lecture IX, James explores what some meanings of the word truth might be. James asserts that his conception of truth is 'realistic' and follows the 'epistemology of common sense.' Pragmatism looks at 'agreement' between objective and subjective experience as...