Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #368946 in Books
• Published on: 1988-12
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 134 pages

Customer Reviews

MISSING THE POINT
I think the previous reviewer was somewhat missing the point of James' thought. Essentially we create truths by discourse and truth does not exist independently of human existence. Therefore whatever we will to believe is true in as much as it is socially agreed. For instance although scientists may 'prove' something to be true, in fact the scientist is merely using a tautological method of proving that which is true by a method that has been shown to prove that the 'fact' is true. Confusing? Yes but the movement through history is one of changes in our belief systems and essentially our truths.

I suggest a perusal of some of the post-positivist thought published to get a handle on this fascinating debate. Key names are Imre Lakatos, Thomas Kuhn and Richard Rorty.

It is a very rewarding and fascinating way of looking with new eyes on the world.

A disasterous turn for American Thought
The notion that the truth of an idea is contingent upon it's "cash value" has been one of the more ridiculous turns in the history of thought (thus, by James' own criteria, the idea is "false"). The premise that human experience is all there is can lead to nothing but such an absurdity. An Aztec Gods existence was "true", because a belief in such a God kept one from being beheaded. There's cash value for you. Any intelligent college freshman can see right through James' loony theory, until the authority of the professor makes its impression upon them. The earth is round now and it was round when everyone believed it was flat, the "cash value" of the belief notwithstanding. It should have been titled "The Convenience Theory of Belief".

Given one extra star for at least being well written sophistry.