more on this theme
|
more from this thinker
Single Idea 18987
[filed under theme 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 6. Nihilism about Objects
]
Full Idea
What shall we call a 'thing' anyhow? It seems quite arbitrary, for we carve out everything, just as we carve out constellations, to suit our human purposes.
Gist of Idea
A 'thing' is simply carved out of reality for human purposes
Source
William James (Pragmatism - eight lectures [1907], Lec 7)
Book Ref
James,William: 'Pragmatism - eight lectures' [Dover 1995], p.98
A Reaction
James wrote just before the discovery of galaxies, which are much more obviously 'things' than constellations like the Plough are! This idea suggests a connection between pragmatism and the nihilist view of objects of Van Inwagen and co.
The
20 ideas
from 'Pragmatism - eight lectures'
18972
|
Ideas are true in so far as they co-ordinate our experiences
[James]
|
18973
|
New opinions count as 'true' if they are assimilated to an individual's current beliefs
[James]
|
18974
|
Truth is a species of good, being whatever proves itself good in the way of belief
[James]
|
18971
|
Theories are practical tools for progress, not answers to enigmas
[James]
|
18976
|
Private experience is the main evidence for God
[James]
|
18975
|
We return to experience with concepts, where they show us differences
[James]
|
18978
|
It is hard to grasp a cosmic mind which produces such a mixture of goods and evils
[James]
|
18977
|
The wonderful design of a woodpecker looks diabolical to its victims
[James]
|
18979
|
Things with parts always have some structure, so they always appear to be designed
[James]
|
18980
|
If there is a 'greatest knower', it doesn't follow that they know absolutely everything
[James]
|
18981
|
'Substance' is just a word for groupings and structures in experience
[James]
|
18982
|
Pragmatism says all theories are instrumental - that is, mental modes of adaptation to reality
[James]
|
18985
|
True thoughts are just valuable instruments of action
[James]
|
18986
|
Truth is just a name for verification-processes
[James]
|
18984
|
True ideas are those we can assimilate, validate, corroborate and verify (and false otherwise)
[James]
|
18983
|
In many cases there is no obvious way in which ideas can agree with their object
[James]
|
18987
|
A 'thing' is simply carved out of reality for human purposes
[James]
|
18989
|
Pragmatism accepts any hypothesis which has useful consequences
[James]
|
18991
|
If the God hypothesis works well, then it is true
[James]
|
18990
|
Nirvana means safety from sense experience, and hindus and buddhists are just afraid of life
[James]
|