William James' 'Pragmatism' in Focus

William James was the central figure of the "historical" period of American philosophy - and Pragmatism was the most influential philosophical movement of the day. This volume brings together the original 1907 text of James' "Pragmatism", in which James applies the theories of meaning and truth central to Pragmatism to metaphysics and religion, with a series of critical essays by prominent scholars, including G.E. Moore, Bertrand Russell and D.C. Phillips. Professor Olin's introduction reviews the articles reprinted, discusses James' response to the Russell and Pratt articles and evaluates the strength of the objections that have been advanced against James. The introduction also distinguishes between Pragmatism as a method for clarifying ideas, as a theory of truth, and as an epistemological theory. This edition of James' forceful, vigorous and humorous work will provide a useful introduction to James and to a major school of American philosophy. This book should be of interest to students and lecturers of philosophy.