William James, Pragmatism?

Question

Okay I don't understand what Pragmatism is. In my Psychology textbook it talks about William James and pragmatism. It say pragmatism tested truth by its practical consequences. And every website i've found about it says basically the same thing. But I don't understand what that means. Can somebody explain it to me?

Answer 1

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In order to understand the nature of this pragmatism, the conclusion may be reached only in the form of a self-evident truth. This comes about with honest experimentation. Seems like I remember that, from 'The varieties of religious experience', 1910, but I'm not certain. James wrote a great many things. Take care.