Be Not Afraid of Life
In the Words of William James
Published on 10. January 2023
Book
Hardback
392 pages
978-0-691-24015-2 (ISBN)
Description
A compelling collection of the life-changing writings of William James
William James-psychologist, philosopher, and spiritual seeker-is one of those rare writers who can speak directly and powerfully to anyone about life's meaning and worth, and whose ideas change not only how people think but how they live. The thinker who helped found the philosophy of pragmatism and inspire Alcoholics Anonymous, James famously asked, "is life worth living?" Bringing together many of his best and most popular essays, talks, and other writings, this anthology presents James's answer to that and other existential questions, in his own unique manner-caring, humorous, eloquent, incisive, humble, and forever on the trail of the "ever not quite."
Here we meet a James perfectly attuned to the concerns of today-one who argues for human freedom, articulates a healthy-minded psychology, urges us to explore the stream of consciousness, presents a new definition of truth based on its practical consequences, and never forecloses the possibility of mystical transcendence. Introduced by John Kaag and Jonathan van Belle, these compelling and accessible selections reveal why James is one of the great guides to the business of living.
William James-psychologist, philosopher, and spiritual seeker-is one of those rare writers who can speak directly and powerfully to anyone about life's meaning and worth, and whose ideas change not only how people think but how they live. The thinker who helped found the philosophy of pragmatism and inspire Alcoholics Anonymous, James famously asked, "is life worth living?" Bringing together many of his best and most popular essays, talks, and other writings, this anthology presents James's answer to that and other existential questions, in his own unique manner-caring, humorous, eloquent, incisive, humble, and forever on the trail of the "ever not quite."
Here we meet a James perfectly attuned to the concerns of today-one who argues for human freedom, articulates a healthy-minded psychology, urges us to explore the stream of consciousness, presents a new definition of truth based on its practical consequences, and never forecloses the possibility of mystical transcendence. Introduced by John Kaag and Jonathan van Belle, these compelling and accessible selections reveal why James is one of the great guides to the business of living.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New Jersey
United States
Product notice
Trade binding
Dimensions
Height: 206 mm
Width: 138 mm
Thickness: 29 mm
Weight
572 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-691-24015-2 (9780691240152)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
10/2022
1st Edition
Princeton University Press
€17.49
Available for download
Persons
John Kaag is the Donahue Professor of Ethics and the Arts at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and external professor at the Santa Fe Institute. He is the author of Sick Souls, Healthy Minds: How William James Can Save Your Life (Princeton), American Bloods, Hiking with Nietzsche, and American Philosophy. Jonathan van Belle is a writer and editor and the author, with Kaag, of Henry at Work: Thoreau on Making a Living and Thinking through Writing (both Princeton).