by Aaron Dollhausen

Created on: August 03, 2009   Last Updated: August 04, 2009

In his lecture, "What Pragmatism Means," William James explains pragmatism as a method to make sense of everyday experiences, facts, and data. Pragmatism is not an end in itself, but an attitude or way of thinking. There is no end point in pragmatism, since pragmatism is only a method of understanding. Truths are constantly being discarded or modified as they are attempted to be applied to practice. Pragmatism seeks to steer philosophy away from its traditional method of seeking solutions to arguments, to using philosophy as a way to gain a clearer understanding of nature. Since pragmatism is based on practical consequences, all ideas are accepted. Pragmatism utilizes metaphysics, rationalism, empiricism, and religion in order to provide better tools for clearer understanding.

As a way to illustrate how the pragmatic method can be applied to metaphysical debates, James uses the story of the squirrel. In the story, instead of supporting either side he explains that the only way to settle the debate is to focuses on the phrase "to go round," as in "to go round the tree." He states, "Which party is right, depends on what you practically mean by 'going round' the squirrel." If to "go round" the squirrel, James explains, means that a person passes through and occupies compass points, then he does "go round" the squirrel. If to "go round" the squirrel means to surpass the squirrel's orientation, then the person does not "go round" the squirrel.

If each argument can be explained in practical terms, then the debate can be solved. If each argument cannot be applied practically, they are nearly the same and the entire argument is not valid. In other words, if a metaphysical problem can be related to the real world, that is, if it can be applied practically, that argument is worthwhile. In this way, James only establishes a method for solving such debates by seeking a practical consequence. He does not attempt to pose solutions. James says that the "whole function of philosophy ought (italics mine) to be to find out what definite difference it will make to you and me..." Pragmatism does not attempt to solve arguments. By solving an argument, an absolute solution would be attained, and this is not the goal of pragmatism.

In fact, there is no "goal" in pragmatism. Instead of stating a "goal" for pragmatism, it is more accurate to explain what drives pragmatism, what its purpose is. The purpose of pragmatism is also to change the goal of metaphysical inquiry away from

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