William James on the Courage to Believe

by Robert J. O'Connell S.J.

Overview

Based on William James' celebrated lecture, 'The Will to Believe', this lively reappraisal features James' arguments on the willingness to believe.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823282814
Publisher:	Fordham University Press
Publication date:	09/18/2018
Series:	American Philosophy
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	223
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Robert J. O’Connell, S. J. was a Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University. His has five publications on St. Augustine, as well as several studies of Plato, William James, and Teilhard de Chardin. In 2015 he established the O’Connell established the O’Connell Initiative at Fordham, a forum for intellectual exploration, that brought together scholars of every aspect of capitalism.

Editorial 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

American Journal of Theology & Philosophy