Be Not Afraid of Life: In the Words of William James

"A compelling collection of the life-changing writings of William JamesWilliam 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 not only change 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 thepossibility 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"--
This collection of the American philosopher, historian and psychologist’s best and most popular essays, talks and other writings argue for human freedom, healthy-minded psychology and the possibility of mystical transcendence.
"In his review of Sick Souls, Healthy Minds (Princeton 2020), New York Times Book Review editor John Williams wrote: "I'd advise you to read Kaag's primer...But if you haven't read James himself, do that first. It's wonderful that he inspires intermediaries to bring his thought to modern-day readers, but his cogent and humane work doesn't strictly need intermediaries. He remains ready to help you directly." Williams is right: William James does not need to be translated by contemporary theorists in orderto speak to our present age. Sometimes the best we can do for James is let him speak to us in his own words, in the way that has inspired more than a century of readers and teachers. The idea for this collection is the result of listening to Williams' wise suggestion: gather the very best and most accessible of James's writings, tie them tightly to an existentially motivating framework, and let the readers come. The essays and selections gathered here will be geared to our present age, to an age that craves meaning, but generally dismisses traditional ways of tapping life's significance. James was one of the first thinkers tarry with what might be called "the modern predicament," a culture-premised on overblown leisure, comfort, sophistication, and excess-that seems intent on being dissatisfied with itself. This collection will be structured to mirror the six chapters of Kaag's Sick Souls, Healthy Minds and be motivated by the same question: Is life worth living? The selections from Be Not Afraid of Lifepresent James-the-existentialist, who rejects determinism, argues forcefully for human freedom, articulates a healthy-minded psychology, urges his readers to explore the stream of consciousness, presents a novel formulation of truth based on practical meaning, and never forecloses the possibility of mystical transcendence. In other words, this anthology gives us a thinker perfectly attuned to the concerns of our present day"--
A compelling collection of the life-changing writings of William JamesWilliam 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.