more from William James

Single Idea 18984

[catalogued under 3. Truth / E. Pragmatic Truth / 1. Pragmatic Truth]

Full Idea

True ideas are those that we can assimilate, validate, corroborate and verify. False ideas are those that we cannot.

Gist of Idea

True ideas are those we can assimilate, validate, corroborate and verify (and false otherwise)

Source

William James (Pragmatism - eight lectures [1907], Lec 6)

Book Reference

James,William: 'Pragmatism - eight lectures' [Dover 1995], p.77


A Reaction

The immediate question is why you should label something as 'false' simply on the grounds that you can't corroborate it. Proving the falsity is a stronger position than the ignorance James seems happy with. 'Assimilate' implies coherence.