The Jamesian Mind

William James (1842-1910) is widely regarded as the founding figure of modern psychology and one of the most important philosophers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Renowned for his philosophical theory of pragmatism and memorable turns of phrase, such as ‘stream of consciousness’ and the ‘will to believe’, he made enormous contributions to a rich array of philosophical subjects, from the emotions and free will to religion, ethics and the meaning of life. The Jamesian Mind covers the major aspects of James’s thought, from his early influences to his legacy, with over 40 chapters by an outstanding roster of international contributors. It is organised into seven clear parts: Intellectual Biography Psychology, Mind and Self Ethics, Religion and Politics Method, Truth and Knowledge Philosophical Encounters Legacy. In these sections fundamental topics are examined, including James’s conceptions of philosophical and scientific inquiry, habit, self, free will and determinism, pragmatism, truth and pluralism. Considerable attention is also devoted to James in relation to the intellectual traditions of empiricism and romanticism as well as to such other philosophical schools as utilitarianism, British idealism, logical empiricism, and existentialism. James’s thought is also situated in an interdisciplinary context, including modernism, sociology and politics, showcasing his legacy in psychology and ethics.