A bit o' help needed: James's pragmatism VS: Russell: Philosophy Forums

A bit o' help needed: James's pragmatism VS: Russell

PhillyManilly
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Posted 11/07/09 - 03:33 PM: Subject: A bit o' help needed: James's pragmatism VS: Russell	#1
Hey people, I've been having some trouble formulating an essay of mine, in which I'm supposed to represent William James in rebutting one of Russell's arguments against pragmatism. Russell's argument is basically that, "The beliefs of the Nazis failed to satisfy the pragmatist criterion of truth because Germany was defeated in the Second World War; but if Germany had been victorious, pragmatists would have had to hail the Nazi creed as pragmatically true." (My philosophical development, 1959) I'm supposed to object using theories from "What pragmatism means" and "Pragmatism and Humanism". I understand the main tenants of pragmatism, but can't really see where the objection comes in. I'm thinking it has something to do with the "moral holidays" James keeps referring to. If someone could point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated. Thanks

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