William James
American philosopher and psychologist (1842–1910); co-founder of pragmatism, the "father of American psychology".
At a glance
Main ideas
Cash value, The pragmatic method, The will to believe …
See all 5Books to start with
The Principles of Psychology, The Will to Believe, and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy, The Varieties of Religious Experience …
See all 5Connections
Charles Sanders Peirce and Pragmatism
See all 2
Also on this page: Key facts · Links · Sources · Related pages
- James was an American philosopher and psychologist and the first educator to offer a psychology course in the United States.
- Son of the theologian Henry James Sr. and brother of the novelist Henry James, he trained as a physician but never practised.
- He spent almost all of his academic career at Harvard, from 1873 until he retired in 1907.
- With Charles Sanders Peirce he founded the school of pragmatism, and he developed radical empiricism.
Why it matters
- His Principles of Psychology was a groundbreaking text, his lectures on pragmatism are arguably the most influential book of American philosophy, and his "stream of consciousness" shaped modernist literature.
Key facts
- Born
- 11 Jan 1842, Astor House, New York City1
- Died
- 26 Aug 1910, Chocorua, New Hampshire, of heart failure1
- Family
- Son of Henry James Sr.; brother of the novelist Henry James and the diarist Alice James1
- Harvard
- Instructor from 1873; full professor in 1885; emeritus professor of philosophy from 19071
- First experimental psychology course
- Harvard, 1875–1876 academic year1
- Students
- Included Theodore Roosevelt, W. E. B. Du Bois, George Santayana, Gertrude Stein and Walter Lippmann1
- Anti-Imperialist League
- Joined in 1898, opposing the annexation of the Philippines1
Main ideas
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Cash value1
An idea's truth lies in the practical difference it makes in experience; truth "happens to an idea".
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The pragmatic method1
Settle a metaphysical dispute by asking what practical difference each side makes; if none, the "dispute is idle".
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The will to believe1
In some cases one has the right to believe beyond the evidence, which he used to justify religious belief.
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James–Lange theory of emotion1
We do not run from a bear because we are afraid; we are afraid because we run.
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Stream of consciousness1
His description of the mind had a direct impact on modernist writers such as James Joyce.
Books to start with
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The Principles of Psychology1
Twelve hundred pages in two volumes, twelve years in the making.
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The Will to Believe, and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy1
Includes his 1896 lecture defending belief beyond evidence.
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The Varieties of Religious Experience1
An investigation of forms of religious experience.
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Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking1
His lectures on pragmatism.
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Essays in Radical Empiricism1
Published after his death.
Connections
Related
- Charles Sanders PeirceTogether they established the school of pragmatism
Writes
Links
Sources
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