Pragmatism · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Pragmatism by William James.
The Narrator
major
Also known as myself, mine, Our, ours, ourselves, our, we
The first-person narrator and focal character throughout the lectures.
John Locke
supporting
Also known as Locke, himself
English philosopher referenced as a key figure in empiricism and pragmatism's lineage.
F. C. S. Schiller
supporting
Also known as Mr. Schiller, Schiller, Messrs. Schiller
Pragmatist philosopher whose views are discussed and debated in the lectures.
Herbert Spencer
supporting
Also known as Herbert Spencer, Spencer, Mr. Spencer, himself
Philosopher and sociologist whose evolutionary ideas are critiqued in the lectures.
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
minor
Also known as Leibnitz
Rationalist philosopher whose monadology is examined pragmatically.
Pragmatism
major
Also known as pragmatism, Pragmatism
The philosophical method and theory of meaning central to the book.
George Berkeley
minor
Also known as Berkeley
Idealist philosopher whose subjective idealism is discussed in relation to pragmatism.
Wilhelm Ostwald
minor
Also known as Ostwald
Chemist and philosopher whose energetic theory is cited in pragmatic contexts.
John Corcoran
minor
Also known as John Corcoran, Corcoran
A contemporary philosopher mentioned in relation to pragmatic logic.
John Dewey
supporting
Also known as John Dewey, Dewey, Schiller - Dewey
Pragmatist philosopher whose instrumentalism is discussed alongside Schiller's.
James Clerk Maxwell
minor
Also known as Clerk Maxwell
Physicist whose scientific methodology is referenced as a model for pragmatism.
The Absolute
supporting
Also known as the Absolute
Idealist metaphysical concept critiqued from a pragmatic standpoint.
Charles Sanders Peirce
supporting
Also known as Mr. Charles Peirce, Mr. Peirce, Peirce, Charles
Founder of pragmatism whose ideas are foundational to the lectures.
Heinrich Rickert
minor
Also known as Professor Rickert, Rickert
Neo-Kantian philosopher whose views on value are contrasted with pragmatism.
Immanuel Kant
supporting
Also known as Kant
German philosopher whose critical philosophy is a key reference point for pragmatism.
David Hume
minor
Also known as Hume
Empiricist philosopher whose skepticism is discussed in relation to pragmatic truth.
George Stuart Fullerton
minor
Also known as Messrs. Fullerton
Philosopher mentioned in the context of metaphysical debates.
Swami Vivekananda
minor
Also known as Swami Vivekananda, Vivekananda
Indian philosopher and spiritual leader cited in discussions of religious experience.
Julius Caesar
minor
Also known as Julius Caesar, Caesar
Historical figure used as an example in discussions of historical truth and reality.
Mr. Swift
minor
Also known as Mr. Swift
A contemporary thinker referenced in the context of pragmatic ethics.
Thomas Henry Huxley
minor
Also known as Huxley
Biologist and agnostic philosopher whose views on science are discussed.
Charles Darwin
minor
Also known as Darwin
Naturalist whose theory of evolution is referenced as influencing pragmatism.
Rudolf Hermann Lotze
minor
Also known as Lotze, the great Lotze
German philosopher whose work on value and reality is cited in the lectures.
