Single Idea 18989

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / D. Empiricism / 3. Pragmatism]

Full Idea

On pragmatic principles we cannot reject any hypothesis if consequences useful to life flow from it.

Gist of Idea

Pragmatism accepts any hypothesis which has useful consequences

Source

William James (Pragmatism - eight lectures [1907], Lec 8)

Book Reference

James,William: 'Pragmatism - eight lectures' [Dover 1995], p.105


A Reaction

Most governments seem to find lies more useful than the truth. Maybe most children are better off not knowing the truth about their parents. It might be disastrous to know the truth about what other people are thinking. Is 'useful but false' meaningful?