Putnam on James, Dewey, and Pragmatism

Summary

This video explores the philosophical contributions of John Dewey and William James, particularly their influence on pragmatism, perception, and the critique of Cartesian dualism. It highlights Dewey's early work in psychology and his distinction from James, while examining their shared commitment to overcoming dualistic thinking. The discussion touches on their impact on modern analytic philosophers and critiques the restrictive nature of analytic philosophy. The video also critiques the pragmatist theory of truth, emphasizing Dewey’s practical application of philosophy to real-world issues, especially in education and public life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dewey's first pragmatist paper was titled 'The Reflex Arc in Psychology,' which is an unlikely and often overlooked title.
• 😀 The James brothers were famous for their contributions to psychology and philosophy, with one writing novels that read like psychology books, and the other writing psychology books that read like novels.
• 😀 While James was a more prominent psychologist, Dewey made significant contributions to psychology, particularly in overcoming Cartesian dualism in perception.
• 😀 John Dewey's work on overcoming Cartesian dualism in perception was seen as further advanced than James', though both philosophers influenced the development of modern thought in this area.
• 😀 Edmund Husserl credited William James for inspiring his own philosophical inquiries into perception.
• 😀 Analytic philosophers, such as disjunctivists like John McDowell, have rediscovered aspects of James and Dewey's ideas, but often fail to cite these American pragmatists.
• 😀 The verificationism advocated by pragmatists like Dewey is not inherently incompatible with realism about perception, though it faces challenges when extending to theoretical entities like electrons.
• 😀 Dewey, though identifying as an instrumentalist, rejected the pragmatist theory of truth, which he believed was a mistake.
• 😀 Dewey's pragmatic maxim, often applied to philosophical positions, asks how a view would impact real-life practices, like education and free will, but does not commit to a general theory of meaning.
• 😀 James' metaphysical position on perception greatly influenced Russell, who acknowledged this in his work 'The Analysis of Mind,' despite critiquing James' theory of truth.
• 😀 Russell failed to adequately credit James for his influence on his own work in his 'History of Western Philosophy,' even though he had earlier acknowledged James' impact on his ideas.

Q & A

What is the significance of John Dewey's first pragmatist paper, 'The Reflex Arc in Psychology'?

John Dewey's first pragmatist paper, 'The Reflex Arc in Psychology,' is significant because it marks a pivotal moment in his philosophy, challenging Cartesian dualism in psychology and offering a new approach to understanding perception and psychology. The paper's title itself is unusual and may not be widely known, but it set the foundation for Dewey's pragmatist views.

How does the relationship between William James and John Dewey influence their philosophical development?

William James and John Dewey both had an important influence on each other's development, especially in overcoming Cartesian dualism in perception. While Dewey carried this idea further than James, both philosophers contributed to the movement of pragmatism. James, who was both a philosopher and a psychologist, was particularly influential in modern philosophy, inspiring thinkers like Husserl and analytic philosophers.

What is the critique of analytic philosophy mentioned in the transcript?

The critique of analytic philosophy in the transcript focuses on its exclusionary nature. The speaker expresses concern that analytic philosophy, as it has become a movement, often disregards important contributions from outside its field, particularly the ideas of American realists and philosophers like James and Dewey. The speaker warns against this narrow approach and emphasizes the importance of engaging with a broader range of philosophical traditions.

How does the speaker view the pragmatist theory of truth?

The speaker disagrees with the pragmatist theory of truth, which is often associated with philosophers like Dewey and James. Specifically, they reject the idea that the truth of an idea can be solely determined by its practical consequences. The speaker argues that this approach is flawed and does not provide a comprehensive theory of meaning or truth.

What does the speaker think about the pragmatic maxim and its application in philosophy?

The speaker acknowledges that the pragmatic maxim, which suggests that the meaning of an idea is determined by the actions it leads to, was applied by Dewey and James primarily to philosophical positions rather than as a general theory of meaning. The speaker sees this as a healthy application, particularly in Dewey’s work on education and free will, as it helps to assess the practical implications of philosophical views in real life.

Why does the speaker argue that the pragmatist approach is not inherently positivist?

The speaker contends that the pragmatist approach, while often associated with verificationism and instrumentalism, is not inherently positivist. They argue that pragmatism can be reconciled with realism about perception, and that Dewey's instrumentalist views should not be mistaken for a wholesale rejection of theoretical entities like electrons in modern physics.

What role did the American realists, particularly William James, play in the development of modern philosophy?

The American realists, especially William James, played a crucial role in shaping modern philosophy by challenging traditional metaphysical views and offering alternative perspectives on perception and truth. James’ theory of perception, in particular, was highly influential and led to significant developments in both psychology and philosophy, including influencing figures like Russell and Husserl.

What does the speaker think about Bertrand Russell’s view of William James?

The speaker criticizes Bertrand Russell for overlooking the influence of William James on his own work. Despite Russell's public disapproval of James' theory of truth, the speaker points out that Russell's analysis of mind was heavily influenced by James’ ideas, particularly in terms of perception. The speaker believes that Russell should have acknowledged this influence more explicitly in his work.

Why does Dewey rarely use the pragmatic maxim in his work on epistemology?

Dewey rarely used the pragmatic maxim in his epistemological work because he preferred a more nuanced approach to philosophy. In his book *Logic: The Theory of Inquiry*, Dewey mentions the pragmatist theory of truth only in a footnote, indicating that he did not rely on it as a central concept in his epistemology. Instead, he focused on a broader inquiry into logic and knowledge.

What is the speaker’s overall view on the application of pragmatism in philosophy?

The speaker’s overall view on pragmatism is that while it offers valuable insights into philosophy, especially in terms of the practical consequences of ideas, it should not be taken as a rigid or universal theory of meaning. They argue that both James and Dewey contributed important philosophical ideas without necessarily endorsing all aspects of the pragmatist doctrine, particularly the pragmatic maxim.