William James on the Courage to Believe

Robert J. O'Connell

book: William James on the Courage to Believe

Open Access Published by Fordham University Press 2019

William James on the Courage to Believe

Robert J. O'Connell

In the series American Philosophy

https://doi.org/10.1515/9780823285211

Overview
Contents

About this book

William James’ celebrated lecture on “The Will to Believe” has kindled spirited controversy since the day it was delivered. In this lively reappraisal of that controversy, Father O’Connell contributes some fresh contentions: that James’ argument should be viewed against his indebtedness to Pascal and Renouvier; that it works primarily to validate our “over-beliefs” ; and most surprising perhaps, that James envisages our “passional nature” as intervening, not after, but before and throughout, our intellectual weighing of the evidence for belief.

Author / Editor information

O'Connell Robert J. :

Robert J. O’Connell, S.J., was Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University.Robert J. O’Connell, S.J., was Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University.

Reviews

“A thorough and sympathetic analysis of James’ lecture on “The Will to Believe,” a lecture which-once read-”does not admit of being easily left aside.” O’Connell takes on those critics who have reckless “wishful thinking.” Central to O’Connell’s approach is his very helpful treatment of the “passional side of human nature” and the role it plays in James’ epistemology. It is not merely an element to be brought in when the intellect has reached an impasse. A valuable and important book”

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Preface Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	xi
Abbreviations Publicly Available Download PDF	xiii
Introduction Open Access Download PDF	1
1. The Argument of "The Will to Believe" Open Access Download PDF	7
2. On Matter and Manner Open Access Download PDF	23
3. James and Pascal Open Access Download PDF	33
4. Is It "Wishful Thinking"? Open Access Download PDF	53
5. Outcomes and Over-beliefs Open Access Download PDF	70
6. The Precursive Force of Over-beliefs Open Access Download PDF	84
7. The Strata of the Passional Open Access Download PDF	92
8. The Metaphors of Belief Open Access Download PDF	107
Epilogue: On Becoming Humanly Wise Open Access Download PDF	123
Appendix A: "The Will to Believe" and James's "Deontological Streak" Open Access Download PDF	135
Appendix B: Faith and Facts in James's "Will to Believe" Open Access Download PDF	159
Appendix C: James's Voluntarism: Readiness, Willingness, or Will to Believe? Open Access Download PDF	189
Index Open Access Download PDF	219

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: Fordham University Press
Pages
- Main content: 223
Keywords: Philosophy & Theory

eBook

Published: January 29, 2019
ISBN: 9780823285211