Pragmatism William James - The word pragmatism is used everywhere today, from business to sports to politics. Although the word hadn't yet entered everyday language when William James published 'Pragmatism' in 1907, the philosopher believed its doctrine had virtually become common sense in twentieth-century America. For James, pragmatism was a specific philosophical alternative to essentialism and foundationalism and argued that ideas are meaningful only insofar as they have practical consequen ...