Pragmatism

A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking

By: William James, Sofia Pisou

Narrated by: Moe Egan

Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking by William James is a unique work in American philosophy. This collection of lectures James himself delivered at the dawn of the twentieth century has been a landmark in the development of the philosophical movement of pragmatism. This summary includes a biography, a key synopsis, and an insightful analysis of the main distinctive points of pragmatism as a mediating system opposed to rationalism and empiricism, the dominant philosophies of that era. Suitable for students and any reader interested in clarifying the basic notions of absolute monism and empirical pluralism and in studying the critical approach to old systems of thought by one of the founders of pragmatism, William James.

Includes:

• A brief background of the author and the work
• Overview, synopsis, and analysis
• Historical context, criticisms, and social impact
• Chapter-by-chapter summary
• The full narration of the text

This audiobook is suitable for students and anyone interested in contemporary philosophy.

©2015 AudioLearn (P)2015 AudioLearn

Great book, badly read

I recommend James's book as such. However, the reader (Moe Egan) doesn't do a very good job: in several parts she repeats words and e.g. in the introduction talks about William JONES. Her speech sounds synthesised and she doesn't sound like she understands what she's reading. The recording of "Pluralistic Universe" is much better.

Wish I Had Time to Read It Myself

There were so many errors and stumbles in the reading that it pulled me out of the mindful meditative state I tend to sink into when I dive deep into a good book (audio or not). Just a bummer because the material itself is so good. But it was so hard to maintain my focus when the reader fumbled and bumbled every paragraph or so.

Great content, difficult narration

James is excellent, obviously. This is a classic of American philosophy. A collection of lectures, it’s very approachable, engaging and minimally technical.

The narration had enough mistakes as to be distracting. Mistakes were in speech and pronunciation. I don’t mean to be too harsh. I was still grateful to have it. But it really was distracting at times. With a more challenging text, it would have been even worse.

Original W. James’ Pragmatism put to Words

A fine rebuke of the pretensions of both Nominalism and Rationalism, presenting a fine middle way that actually can get you somewhere and got us somewhere (eg SS Benedicta of the Cross & JPII Phenomenology) without sacrificing the truths and morality of the Religious & meaningful life.

A book worth listening to more than once

I disagree with some of the reviewers who complained about the reader. I was surprised by their comments. I think she did an excellent job. I do agree that the summaries which were added by the editor did not help . They were presented at the beginning of the text. They were too condensed and too dry to be helpful. I suspect that the reviewers were responding to the reading of the summaries. Maybe the summaries should be heard at the end of each chapter. The book itself is excellent. And the reader did a good job. The big picture is clearly presented in Lectures 5 (Common Sense) and 7 (Humanism). That makes the book slightly difficult to follow. But it is well worth the effort.