In the academic year 1913-14, Émile Durkheim gave at the Sorbonne the course of lectures which has been collected and published as Pragmatism and Sociology. The generally accepted reasons for this interest are those which Durkheim himself sets out in the introductory lecture to his course.The problem raised by pragmatism is indeed of a very serious nature. We are currently witnessing an attack on reason which is truly militant and determined. Consequently, the problem is of threefold importance.1 In the first place, it is of general importance. Pragmatism is in a better position than any other doctrine to make us see the need for a reform of traditional rationalism, for it shows us what is lacking in it.2 Next, it is of national importance. Our whole French culture is basically an essentially rationalistic one . . . A total negation of rationalism would constitute a danger: it would overthrow our whole national culture. If we had to accept the form of irrationalism represented by pragmatism, the whole French mind would have to be radically changed.3 Lastly, it is of specifically philosophical importance. Not only our culture but the whole of the philosophical tradition ... is inspired by rationalism. If pragmatism were valid, we would have to embark upon a complete reversal of this whole tradition.