In This Reading James Sets Forth His View of Truth

question 15

True/False

In this reading James sets forth his view of truth. He holds that truth is dynamic rather than static and is to be defined in terms of beliefs that are useful or satisfying. Unlike the "intellectualists" (James's characterization of the traditional static approaches to the question of truth, i.e., the correspondence theorists), truth is in process-still becoming and changing. Yesterday's truth is today's falsehood, and today's truth is tomorrow's half-truth. What really matters is what you can do with an idea, what difference it makes to your life, its (in James's term) "cash-value."
-James believes that truth is something that happens to an idea.

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Definitions:

Appropriateness

The degree to which communication actions are suitable for a particular context or environment.

Consistency

The quality of always behaving or performing in a similar way, or producing the same results, thereby allowing for reliability or dependability.

Cognitive Dissonance

A psychological phenomenon where a person experiences discomfort or distress from holding two or more conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes.

Credibility

The characteristic of being deemed reliable and credible.