Question

william james was a prominent american whose interest in pragmatic philosophy led him to an approach emphasizing cause and effect, which eventually came to be named

Answer 1

William James was a key figure in creating pragmatism and functionalism, focusing on the practical application and the adaptive function of mental processes.

Step-by-step explanation:

William James was a prominent figure in the development of pragmatism, a philosophical movement that emerged in the late 19th century in the United States. Pragmatism emphasizes the practical application of ideas, measuring their truth by the success of their practical outcomes. James's pragmatic philosophy suggested that theories and beliefs are to be validated through experiences and consequences, rather than pre-established doctrine. A central tenet of James's philosophy is the pragmatic theory of truth, which posits that truth is what works in practice and provides satisfactory results. His innovative ideas also lead to the development of functionalism in psychology, which focuses on the function of mental processes in adapting to the environment. Through the lens of functionalism, psychological phenomena are not just structures, but processes with roles that aid survival and adaptation.

Answer 2

William James was a prominent American whose interest in pragmatic philosophy led him to an approach emphasizing cause and effect, which eventually came to be named functionalism.

Pragmatism is a philosophical approach that measures the truth of an idea by experimentation and by examining its practical outcome.