Pragmatism

Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking is a book by William James, first published in 1907. In this collection of popular lectures James sets out a practical, consequences-first approach to philosophical problems: ideas and beliefs earn their keep by the difference they make in lived experience. Clear, readable and lively, the book reframes debates about truth, meaning and religious faith by insisting that intellectual disputes must pay their way in action — otherwise they are idle.

The tone is public-facing rather than academic, making the work accessible to readers of philosophy, psychology and anyone interested in how ideas shape behaviour. The influence of Pragmatism stretches across American thought: it helped popularise the pragmatic method and shaped later discussions in epistemology, moral philosophy and the emerging field of psychology. James’s emphasis on the “cash value” of beliefs encouraged thinkers to judge theories by results rather than abstract pedigree — an outlook that continues to resonate with readers searching for practical philosophy, applied ethics, and insight into the psychology of belief.

This book remains a foundational text for students of American philosophy, practical reason, and the history of ideas.