James, William (1842-1910) was an American philosopher and psychologist, and one of the most influential thinkers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He was the founder of the school of pragmatism, a philosophical movement that stresses the practical consequences of ideas and beliefs.
James was born in New York City in 1842. He attended Harvard University, graduating with a degree in medicine in 1869. He then pursued a career in philosophy, teaching at Harvard, and eventually becoming the university’s first professor of psychology. In addition to his academic work, James was an active lecturer and writer. He wrote extensively on a variety of topics, including psychology, religion, and philosophy.
James is best known for developing the philosophical school of pragmatism. Pragmatism is based on the idea that truth is determined by its practical consequences. James argued that ideas should be judged by their practical consequences, rather than by abstract principles. This led him to emphasize the importance of experience and experimentation as the best way to gain knowledge.
In addition to his work in philosophy, James was an influential psychologist. He is credited with introducing the concept of stream of consciousness, which holds that thought is a continuous process rather than a series of discrete thoughts. He also developed functionalism, a psychological theory that focuses on how mental states and processes contribute to behavior.
James’s work has had a lasting impact on philosophy and psychology. His ideas have been adopted and adapted by many thinkers, and his writings continue to be widely read and studied.
For further reading, please see the following journal articles:
-“William James: A Life in Science and Religion”, by Robert Richardson, The Journal of Religion, Volume 83, Issue 3, July 2003, Pages 401-424.
-“William James and Pragmatism”, by Richard Rorty, The Harvard Review of Philosophy, Volume IX, Spring 2001, Pages 7-20.
-“William James: The Varieties of Religious Experience”, by Ann Taves, The Journal of Religion, Volume 85, Issue 3, July 2005, Pages 363-382.