<b>Pragmatism </b>is a philosophical tradition that views language and thought as tools for prediction, problem solving, and action, rather than describing, representing, or mirroring reality. Pragmatists contend that most philosophical topics&mdash;such as the nature of knowledge, language, concepts, meaning, belief, and science&mdash;are all best viewed in terms of their practical uses and successes.<br /><br />Pragmatism began in the United States in the 1870s. Its origins are often attributed to the philosophers <b>Charles Sanders Peirce</b>, <b>William James</b>, and <b>John Dewey</b>. In 1878, Peirce described it in his pragmatic maxim: &quot;Consider the practical effects of the objects of your conception. Then, your conception of those effects is the whole of your conception of the object.&quot;<br /><br /><b>William James</b> (January 11, 1842 &ndash; August 26, 1910) was an American philosopher, psychologist, and the first educator to offer a psychology course in the United States. James is considered to be a leading thinker of the late 19th century, one of the most influential philosophers of the United States, and the &quot;Father of American psychology.&quot;