The Meaning of Truth

Name: The Meaning of Truth
Author: William James

By William James

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Philosophy & Ethics

About This Book

A collection of essays elaborates and defends the pragmatist account of truth, presenting truth as a property of ideas established by their practical consequences and verifiability. The author maintains that truth is not a static attribute but a process in which ideas become verified through experience, so that workability, cash-value, and satisfactory adaptation to reality determine verity. He applies this criterion to religious and metaphysical notions, treating concepts such as God, the absolute, freedom, and design in terms of the presence of promise or experiential benefit, and answers charges that pragmatism reduces truth to mere feeling while contrasting it with object-centered theories.

About the Author

William James

William James (1842-1910) was an American philosopher and psychologist, widely regarded as one of the leading figures in the development of pragmatism and functional psychology. His influential works, including "The Principles of Psychology" and "The Varieties of Religious Experience," explore the intersections of philosophy, psychology, and spirituality. James's approach emphasized the practical implications of ideas and the importance of individual experience, making significant contributions to both philosophy and the emerging field of psychology. His lectures and essays continue to resonate, reflecting his belief in the pluralistic nature of reality and the value of diverse perspectives.