The History of Pragmatism

Charles Sanders Peirce is credited with first developing the philosophical school of thought known as pragmatism in the late 19th century.

Pragmatists believe that the truth of an idea is determined by its practical consequences, rather than by its correspondence to an objective reality.

Bertrand Russell was a British philosopher who is not typically associated with pragmatism.

The pragmatic method is the process of testing an idea by its practical consequences.

Instrumentalism, experience, and inquiry are all key concepts in John Dewey's pragmatism.

Relativism is the idea that truth is relative to the individual or to a particular group or culture.

Radical empiricism, the will to believe, and pluralism are all key concepts in William James' pragmatism.

Heraclitus' flux, process philosophy, and temporalism are all terms used to describe the idea that reality is constantly changing.

Abduction is a key concept in Charles Sanders Peirce's pragmatism. It is the process of forming a hypothesis based on limited evidence.

Solipsism is the idea that the individual is the center of reality and that nothing else exists outside of the individual's own mind.

Symbolic interactionism, the social self, and the looking-glass self are all key concepts in George Herbert Mead's pragmatism.

Consensus theory of truth, social constructivism, and communitarianism are all terms used to describe the idea that truth is determined by the consensus of a community.

Irony, solidarity, and hope are all key concepts in Richard Rorty's pragmatism.

Fideism is the idea that truth is a matter of faith rather than reason.

Prophetic pragmatism, social justice, and liberation theology are all key concepts in Cornel West's pragmatism.