In this Book

William James on the Courage to Believe

Book
Robert J. O'Connell
2019
Published by: Fordham University Press
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summary
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.

Table of Contents

open access

Cover

Title Page

pp. iii

Copyright

pp. iv

Dedication

pp. v

Contents

pp. vii

Preface

pp. ix-x

Acknowledgments

pp. xi

Abbreviations

pp. xiii

Introduction

pp. 1-5

1. The Argument of "The Will to Believe"

pp. 7-22

2. On Matter and Manner

pp. 23-32

3. James and Pascal

pp. 33-52

4. Is It "Wishful Thinking"?

pp. 53-69

5. Outcomes and Over-beliefs

pp. 70-83

6. The Precursive Force of Over-beliefs

pp. 84-91

7. The Strata of the Passional

pp. 92-106

8. The Metaphors of Belief

pp. 107-122

Epilogue: On Becoming Humanly Wise

pp. 123-134

Appendix A: "The Will to Believe"and James's "Deontological Streak"

pp. 135-158

Appendix B: Faith and Facts in James's "Will to Believe"

pp. 159-188

Appendix C: James's Voluntarism: Readiness, Willingness, or Will to Believe?

pp. 189-218

Index

pp. 219-223
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