more from William James

Single Idea 18973

[catalogued under 3. Truth / D. Coherence Truth / 1. Coherence Truth]

Full Idea

A new opinion counts as 'true' just in proportion as it gratifies the individual's desire to assimilate the novel in his experience to his beliefs in stock.

Gist of Idea

New opinions count as 'true' if they are assimilated to an individual's current beliefs

Source

William James (Pragmatism - eight lectures [1907], Lec 2)

Book Reference

James,William: 'Pragmatism - eight lectures' [Dover 1995], p.25


A Reaction

Note the tell-tale locution 'counts as' true, rather than 'is' true. The obvious problem is that someone with a big stock of foolish beliefs will 'count as' true some bad interpretation which is gratifyingly assimilated to their current confusions.