Philosophy is not a Luxury by Jeff Carreira. The philosophical ideas discussed in this book mainly belong to the classical American philosophers Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and John Dewey. These three minds were the originators of the philosophy called pragmatism, which remains to this day America’s most significant contribution to world philosophy.
The essays represent a general progression of thought, each building upon the last. They are suggested to be read as complete in themselves in order to see what questions and avenues for further inquiry they open up for you. Each essay is a snapshot, a glimpse into an extraordinary perspective on reality. They are seeds for contemplation, starting points for your own inquiry.
Jeff Carreira is the director of education at the nonprofit organization EnlightenNext. In that position he creates and organizes a global network of spiritual and philosophical education programs. Download his book here (52 pages/6.6 MB):
Philosophy is not a Luxury
What is Pragmatism?
Pragmatism is a philosophical movement and approach to problem-solving that emphasizes the practical applications and usefulness of ideas, rather than their theoretical or abstract properties. It originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the works of philosophers such as Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and John Dewey.
In pragmatic philosophy, truth is not seen as a fixed and unchanging entity, but as a property of ideas that can only be determined through their practical success. Pragmatists argue that the value of an idea or belief should be judged by its practical consequences, and that theories and beliefs should be adjusted or modified if they do not work effectively in real-world situations.
Pragmatism has had a broad influence on American culture and has been applied to fields such as education, psychology, sociology, and political philosophy, among others. The practical, results-oriented approach of pragmatism has been particularly influential in shaping the development of the scientific method.
