Ep. 18 - Pragmatically Speaking

In this episode I give a very introductory opening to the idea of Pragmatism; the first American philosophy. I have come to think about Pragmatism and it's relationship to Liberalism by its adherence to reality and practical, real world effects. For this introduction, I discuss some of the lectures of Pragmatism by the great psychologist and philosopher William James. Some of the points I discuss in this episode are: - How Pragmatism was the first philosophy given to the world by American thinkers - Pragmatism - what do you practically mean? - Layer of analysis and materialism as a basis for it but not always the most interesting part of it - The truth as utility at not merely as principle - How Pragmatism is a reality based philosophy that shifts the onus and responsibility of decision making and question asking back onto individual people Here is a link to all eight lectures if you are interested: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/5116/5116-h/5116-h.htm