William James

eBook, ePUB

The Will to Believe, and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy (eBook, ePUB)

Beschreibung

The work of William James contributed greatly to the burgeoning fields of psychology, particularly in the areas of education, religion, mysticism and pragmatism. The brother of novelist Henry James and of diarist Alice James, William wrote several powerful essays expressing his ideas on the pragmatic theory of truth, sentience, and human beings' right to believe. In "The Will to Believe", James suggests that what a person holds to be true or attainable may exist through that person's belief in them, regardless of a lack of physical evidence. In a sense, he advocates the theory of self-fulfilling prophesies. "Human Immortality" was a speech delivered during the annual Ingersoll Lectureship, given in memory of George Goldthwait Ingersoll, in 1897 at Harvard University. These works are a prime example of the powerful influence William James has had on modern psychology, and are still recognized today for their brilliance and revolutionary impacts on the field.

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Autor

William James (1842-1910), a pioneering American psychologist and philosopher, is best known for his formative contributions to psychology, educational theory, the philosophy of religion, and pragmatism. Born into an intellectual family with his brother Henry James later becoming a renowned novelist, William James studied medicine at Harvard University, though his interests and writings extended far beyond the medical field. His seminal works, like 'The Will to Believe, and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy' (1897), reflect his belief in pragmatism and the importance of empirical thinking, which posits that the truth of an idea is measured by its practical outcomes and contributions to human experience. James's emphasis on the role of individual will and belief shaped his philosophical investigations, allowing for a subjective approach to truth and reality. His literary style, characterized by lucidity and the skillful use of metaphor, engaged a wide readership, effectively bridging the gap between academic discourse and popular philosophy. A celebrated academic, James's ideas have enduring influence and continue to garner respect for their insightful analysis of consciousness, emotion, and the human condition. In addition to his philosophical pursuits, James's 'The Principles of Psychology' (1890) remains a foundational text in the field, marking him as a key figure in the establishment of psychology as a distinct scientific discipline.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Dead Dodo Education
• Seitenzahl: 386
• Erscheinungstermin: 30. November 2015
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781518319747
• Artikelnr.: 55961877