“See the exquisite contrast of the types of mind! The pragmatist clings to facts and concreteness, observes truth at its work in particular cases, and generalises. Truth, for him, becomes a class-name for all sorts of definite working-values in experience. For the rationalist it remains a pure abstraction, to the bare name of which we must defer. When the pragmatist undertakes to show in detail just why we must defer, the rationalist is unable to recognise the concretes from which his own abstraction is taken. He accuses us of denying truth; whereas we have only sought to trace exactly why people follow it and always ought to follow it. Your typical ultra-abstractions fairly shudders at concreteness: other things equal, he positively prefers the pale and spectral. If the two universes were offered, he would always choose the skinny outline rather than the rich thicket of reality. It is so much purer, clearer, nobler.”

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About William James

American philosopher and psychologist

William James was an American philosopher and psychologist. He lived in the late 19th century and is often called the father of American psychology. He has 152 quotes on the site. He was the first educator to teach a psychology course in the United States. James is regarded as one of the leading thinkers of his time and as one of the most influential philosophers. His work helped shape the study of psychology in America.

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Books by William James

The Varieties of Religious Experience

1902

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Pluralistic Universe

1909

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