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James, Dewey, Truth, and Religion
The developed world in the twenty-first century is a very confusing place and time. ... Things lose relevance as fast as they are created and the old institutions, like religion, that had provided stability have begun to slip just when they are needed the most. ... Nothing is stationary anymore, least of all the truth. In these “Wag the Dog” times the question of truth perhaps has even greater significance than it ever did. Perhaps in these confusing times people should begin to pay more attention to Pragmatists like James and Dewey and what they have to say about the truth and religion.
First off, how do the pragmatists define truth? For James truth is more of a process than a thing. He says “truth is not a stagnant property inherent in it. Truth happens to an idea. ... ” Truth is not a static thing existing out in some faraway realm. A person cannot simply decide he is going to know the truth and presto there it is. The truth is something that is arrived at through a process of verification. Truth is what works, what matters. ... James’ response to this would probably be along the lines of “who cares?” The truth is arrived at; it is a reflection of reality as it best as it can be perceived at the moment. ... That is what Pragmatisms truth is all about. It is about finding what is true in terms of it being helpful and useful to mankind in the “real” world
James does not want to deny the existence of reality or “absolute truth” and concedes that things can be proved wrong.
Approximate Word count = 1298
Approximate Pages = 5.2
(250 words per page double spaced)
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