The Dynamic Individualism of William James

The Dynamic Individualism of William James analyzes James’s rich and complex thought through an examination of his individualism. A central theme of James’s writings, individualism underlies his basic views on freedom, society, government, psychology, education, religion, pragmatism, and metaphysics—yet, until now, no one has undertaken a careful study of this important aspect of James's thought. With close readings of texts that include The Principles of Psychology, The Varieties of Religious Experience, and A Pluralistic Universe, James O. Pawelski engages the range of contexts in which James discusses individualism, offers a refreshingly new reading of his work, and, in seeking to resolve James’s own psychology, presents an original and convincing case for his dynamic individualism.