In this episode I give a very introductory opening to the idea of Pragmatism; the first American philosophy. I have come to think about Pragmatism and it's relationship to Liberalism by its adherence to reality and practical, real world effects. For this introduction, I discuss some of the lectures of Pragmatism by the great psychologist and philosopher William James. Some of the points I discuss in this episode are:

- How Pragmatism was the first philosophy given to the world by American thinkers

- Pragmatism - what do you practically mean?

- Layer of analysis and materialism as a basis for it but not always the most interesting part of it

- The truth as utility at not merely as principle

- How Pragmatism is a reality based philosophy that shifts the onus and responsibility of decision making and question asking back onto individual people

Here is a link to all eight lectures if you are interested:

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/5116/5116-h/5116-h.htm