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William James and his influences
William James and his influences
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William James and W.K. Clifford both had very exceptional arguments regarding if it is acceptable to hold beliefs without proper evidence, and there is a national debate going on for years regarding who was right and who was wrong. They both had very valid logic to their reasoning behind what the stood for, but they also had totally different outlooks on the argument. Being that I have read both arguments, they both bring up crucial points and details along the way. William James holds the argument in that he believes humans have a right to believe even when the supporting evidence is ineffective. James also believes that the existence of human beings is far more important that most things. James touches on genuine choice and talks
Kelly James Clark, who is a former Professor of Philosophy at Calvin College, wrote “Without Evidence or Argument” which is published in Reason and Responsibility: Readings in Some Basic Problems of Philosophy. The article starts off with the scenario of a stranger giving a man a note that his wife is cheating on him. However, there is no evidence and her behavior has not changed at all, how should he react? Does he take the note as complete truth and confront her or should he find security in the trust that he has built up with his wife over the past years together (Feinberg 138)? Clark uses this example, as well as others, to bring attention to the connection between significant beliefs and evidence. Furthermore, Clark goes on to state his
James states that the human nature can be only concluded through the profound judgment as it were. He expresses his opinion as openly “No” on the individuality of human nature and on the lives of men whether they share an identical religious element. The reason that he has mentioned is that he does not see how can it be possible for human with different nature and different culture can share exactly same duties and power. Every person has his own views and believes when we are taking such a strong topic into account. Everyone has their unique way of dealing. Religion can be dealt in two ways either it can be
His slapstick films seem to be wackier than some of his early teen films, but Sixteen Candles and the Breakfast Club had their fair share of wacky moments. Many of John Hughes's later comedic films have their fair share of heartfelt moments, as well. Blending farcical elements with more dramatic elements seems to be another consistent feature of most John Hughes films, whether he was the writer, director, producer, or all three at once.
and that it can in fact be reasonable to hold a belief without sufficient evidence. Both
To live a happy life, with few regrets is an ideal plan. This is the plan of John Davis, uncle of Benjamin Bolton. John had a prosperous childhood, unique because of his experiences on St. Augustine beach. John’s life progressed and he matured through high school and went onto adulthood learning many things along the way. His goal is to be full of knowledge to pass on when he is older and to have few regrets.
William James, a philosopher in the late 18th and early 19th century shared his view on the common misconceptions of pragmatists account for the truth. Although I am only going to reinforce James views on a couple of these, there were in fact eight misunderstandings in his eyes. There is a passage written by James on his thoughts of what he called an automatic sweetheart.
This is something I would like to take away and infuse into my own writing, because I normally rely on facts to sway my reader, but I now see that presenting an opposing view can prove that one’s own argument would be strong enough to stand against doubt. It is like testing the foundation of a home you build yourself, how will you know if it is strong if the wind doesn’t blow? I would also like employ the pattern Primack uses to present his evidence. He layers facts along with quotes from the personal accounts of individuals who have an understanding of the topic, so it makes their words relevant. I feel as though this creates an argument that appeals emotionally, is relevant, and supported by accurate
In the short story “‘The Pupil” by Henry James, James introduces three characters, Pemberton, Morgan Moreen and Mrs. Moreen. Through an ironic tone focusing on Pemberton’s perspective, James uses the three characters to create a story.
James, W. (2009, May 8). The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Will to Believe, by William James. Retrieved from The Will to Believe and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy: http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/26659/pg26659.txt
Clifford holds that you should not believe any proposition just because it will give you eternal happiness when in fact there is a lack of evidence which should lead you to doubt the proposition. James, on the other hand, gives us three conditions to believe beyond evidence. First, when you are confronted with what he calls a 'genuine option' that cannot be decided on evidential grounds, you have a right to decide the issue according to your 'passional nature'. Second, when faced with a situation when belief in a fact is necessary for the existence of that fact, you have the right to believe beyond evidence. And finally, in a situation when belief in a true proposition is necessary for getting at the evidence in support of its truth, you are entitled to believe'; (Voices of Wisdom, 347).
I have no answer to these arguments, but am finally compelled to admit that there is not one of my former beliefs about which a doubt may not properly be raised; and this is not a flippant or ill-considered conclusion, but is based on powerful and well thought-out reasons. So in future I must withhold my assent from these former beliefs just as carefully as I would from obvious falsehoods, if I want to discover any certainty. — Rene Descartes (1)
William James wrote "The Will to Believe," an argument about the foundation of belief. James argued the notions of “genuine option” and “forced belief”. He claimed that each of us has options to believe; but some facts are forced beliefs. William James explained “religious hypotheses” and the notion of faith without cause.
William James became famous for writing books . And how his childhood had ways to do with him becoming famous. By the paths he took, changes he made, and things he did to become famous. He is a famous Philosopher and he wrote books about Psychology and religion. He had attended schools all around.
Upon reading Will to Believe, there is no doubt we will all begin to question how we’ve gotten to our beliefs and why we believe what we do. William James argues against forced beliefs and expresses the importance of choice. The idea of choice is one I strongly agree with. Although we are easily influenced by others, when it comes to beliefs free will must come into play. As far as the science method, which I have discussed, a belief is just as valid whether there is evidence or not because most scientific methods will never be one hundred percent proven and they will change over
Henry James, one of the most well-known and influential American writers of the 19th century, was born on April 15, 1843, in New York City. His father, Henry James Sr., was an extremely eccentric philosopher, lecturer, and social theorist who became highly influenced and interested in the ideologies of Swedenborg, a Swedish scientist and philosopher. James Sr. believed that "the curse of mankind, that which keeps our manhood so little and so depraved, is its sense of selfhood, and the absurd abominable opinionativeness it engenders.” Bringing these ideas home with him, his lectures were constantly engraved into the adolescent mind of Henry James. James’ mother, Mary Walsh, came from a wealthy family background. Her sister, Katherine, lived with the family for some time. Similar to his prominent father, James was the younger brother of William James, a pragmatist