History of the United States II / Unit 4 USH2 0478 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Pragmatism
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The idea
The philosopher William James argued for pragmatism, testing ideas by their consequences and treating truth as something found through experience.
In practice
John Dewey's instrumentalism, making education and scientific observation the tools of reform.
Where people slip
Digital History says James and Dewey rejected the idea that social change should go unregulated, arguing that government should act on social ills.
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