Question

“The true', to put it very briefly, is only the expedient in the way of our thinking, just as 'the right' is only the expedient in the way of our behaving. Expedient in almost any fashion; and expedient in the long run and on the whole, of course.” Which one of the following philosophers claims this?

• A. William James
• B. John Dewey
• C. Richard Rorty
• D. C. S. Peirce

Hint:

For philosophical quotes, identify the school of thought and match it to the philosopher's main ideas.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

This quote reflects the core idea of William James's pragmatism, where truth and rightness are defined in terms of their practical utility or expediency.
Key points:
1. William James: He proposed that the concept of "truth" is not absolute but is verified through its practical consequences and usefulness in guiding human thought and action.
2. Explanation of the statement: - "The true is only the expedient in the way of our thinking": Truth is what works best in the context of our intellectual and practical endeavors.
- "The right is only the expedient in the way of our behaving": Ethical correctness is judged by its functionality in achieving desirable outcomes.
3. Incorrect options: - (B) John Dewey: A pragmatist, but his focus was more on education and democratic ideals than the specific formulation of truth in James’s terms.
- (C) Richard Rorty: A neo-pragmatist, but this specific concept of truth was formulated by James.
- (D) C. S. Peirce: A founder of pragmatism, but his approach to truth emphasized long-term convergence of belief rather than expediency in action.
Thus, the correct answer is (A) William James.