1. Describe the “pragmatic method.”
“what practical difference would it make” (1119)
2. How does J. say the term “pragmatism” entered philosophical discourse?
through Peirce in ‘how to make our ideas clear’ (1119)
3. What is the function of “philosophy”?
“to find out what definite difference it will make to you and me, at definite instants of our life, if this world-formula or that world-formula be the true one.” (1120,1)
4. How does pragmatism regard rationalism? Empiricism?
pragmatism is empiricism to the extreme, and it turns its back on rationalism (1121)
5. How does J. assess “theories”?
Theories are instruments not answers to enigmas… pragmatism helps us explore theories. (1121)
6. What is the pragmatic “theory of truth”?
instrumental truth… things are true insofar as they ‘work’ (1123)
7. How does J. regard “theology”?
If the ideas of God ‘work’, pragmatism cannot ‘possibly deny God’s existence’. (1128)
quotes from Classics of Western Philosophy
