BHUM 17A39 - American Pragmatism, Psychology and Democratic Participation Theory

American pragmatism, most often associated with the works of William James and John

Dewey, is considered one of the most important philosophical schools of thought. It has

deeply influenced contemporary understandings of truth, experience and psychology. The

goal of this course is to provide an overview of the influence of American pragmatism on

democratic theory. How did pragmatists' accounts of psychology and experience shape

democratic participation theory ? This course will offer some theoretical and historical

answers to this very wide question. It will especially focus on the relations between

pragmatism and American social sciences during the 20th century. First, it will present

James’ groundbreaking psychological and epistemological theories at the turn of the century.

Then, it will show how different strands of pragmatism influenced the Progressive Era and

the Postwar debates on democratic participation. Finally, it will touch on the influence of

pragmatist philosophies on contemporary deliberative and participatory democracy theories.

Ultimately, this course hopes to provide an introduction to American philosophy (through the

presentation of Pragmatism), to present some of the theoretical debates on democratic

participation in the 20th century and to touch on the part played by psychology in American

social sciences.

Essay (week 8) / 40% (of the final grade)