The Philosophy of William James

William James came into the American Philosophical tradition during a time period where it yearned for an intellectual voice which it could call its own. It’s not that there were no other great philosophic minds present at the time of his ascension, but that no other carried within them, so genuinely, the American spirit.
Here we will all but pass over the Psychology which he has been traditionally remember by and take a seat to learn why James is perhaps America’s most influential philosopher.
Music:
“Where Stars Fall” - Scott Buckley
Sources:
Site 1: philosophy.lander.edu/intro/a...
Site 2: iep.utm.edu/james-o/
Site 3: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William...
Site 4: www.britannica.com/topic/radi...
Site 5: plato.stanford.edu/entries/ja...
Book 1: The Story of Philosophy - Will Durant
CC:
Painting 1: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
#westernphilosophy #WilliamJames #philosophy

[@siusomeone873]

Great video. He just became my favourite philosopher. I've never heard of William James before taking a philosophy class this semester. Currently reading Pragmatism to write a short essay as my finals. I felt uncanny while reading it. A lot of things mentioned are those thoughts I had developed in a dark and lonely college dorm. It's the COVID time and I was alone overseas. I don't have any friends and I don't like talking with my parents. Solitudes really filled the room. My mind was just deteriorating everyday. One day, I was playing a visual novel game and that line of dialogue just hit me hard. 'Why is the last thing in the Pandora's box not love, but hope?' It got me wondering on how low and pathetic a person can be before he chooses to be dead rather than continuing living. After days, my answer is there are no outside forces can force him to choose. And the basis of all that courage is hope which is the senseless belief of 'everything is going to be better and I can reach it.' From that, I realized how much the world relies on groundless beliefs, how many choices are just made from pure beliefs, and how much truth is told because of vague beliefs. Thank you for making this awesome video.

[@EGOPON]

A great comment! I'm also in the stage of discovering William James. I'd be happy if you have any books to suggest

[@chiklachikla7641]

Searched for william james for psychology found a gem of a philosophy channel

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Thank you for your kind words!

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Thank you for covering him! God bless you.

[@russellbudlong3521]

Always interesting. Thank you for posting on KZbin

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Thanks for the continued support, always happy to hear from you!

[@mollypinto4666]

I agree, Humans are capable of anything. And if inspired correctly, can do great and wonderful things💗 Thank you for sharing the stories of these great individuals 🙏

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

You are very welcome, thank you for taking the time to watch and comment!

[@redpillow7221]

As an American, William James is what I'm most proud of my country for making.

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

I would give me vote to Will Durant, though William James is among those who I admire from America! I also hail from the east coast of America.

[@spiritualanarchist8162]

Yet very underestimated in his own country ! I think he is more famous in Europe then in the U.S. I noticed how even the most Euro centered academics i have met grudgingly admit William James was one of the most influential philosophers of his time, and maybe even on of the greatest ever. So I find it strange that Americans , ( who have a talent to create exiting mythologies around the most boring people ;)) , never promoted James into a 'national treasure' .

[@AL_THOMAS_777]

. . .please don´t forget O. S. Marden, Prentice Mulford and H. D. Thoreau !!!

[@user-qt1hn4et1n]

i Good 😅 3:23 😊😊 3:26 😅

[@user-qt1hn4et1n]

3:29

[@kinanradaideh5479]

I'm shocked how you've only got 4 thousand subscribers! You'll certainly gain more very soon.

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Thank you for the kind words, I will continue to do my best! I am extremely pleased with getting to 4000, though I could have said the same at 100 subs. The more the merrier, I always enjoy seeing so many interested in the field of study I love; even those who have no so kind words to share. It is getting increasingly more difficult to reply to all the comments; unfortunately I now have to discern who is here to learn and discuss cordially and who is here only to argue and prove themselves correct. Most, I am pleased to say, fall into the former category. I am very happy to have you here and hope to see and speak with you more in the future, cheers friend!

[@kinanradaideh5479]

@@LetsTalkPhilosophy haha you're right, I shouldn't be demeaning an accomplished 4000 😁 but I'm certain growth is on the way for you. I recently watched your video on Herbert Spencer, someone not usually praised these days, probably rightly so, but I was amazed at your ability to present information so unbiasedly. You cover philosophers that aren't as commonly made videos about, such as Democritus and Spencer, so you're definitely going to become a go-to for many people looking to learn about them, and that makes you stand out. Loving your videos! Cheers mate haha

[@tylerwengreen3989]

Well, now he's at 12k, tripled in 12 months.

[@AL_THOMAS_777]

Wisdom is for noble f e w only . . .

[@micahcrapo4185]

I’m a huge William James fan. Thank you!

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Of course, thank you for taking the time to watch!

[@PFJung]

Great video - this helps contextualize a lot of what Jordan Peterson talks about when it comes to his epistemological framework his notion of Darwinian truth. Thank you!

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Thank you for the kind words, cheers friend!

[@SeekersofUnity]

Beautifully done

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Cheers friend, I appreciate you taking the time to watch!

[@lagituaivaflinders6587]

Great history to keep alive. Thank you

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Indeed, thank you for taking the time to watch. I remain amazed that so many have come to watch my videos, even though my schedule has not allowed for much creation. I hope to be able to create more often once I work out some things, I will appreciate your continued support!

[@RaiseTheWorldProjectNow]

Wow! This is an impressive video! Just looking up William James for our videos😅 Yours are so much better cut and spoken than ours! But we'll get there eventually😄 Good luck with your channel! It deserves many many more subscribers 🙏

[@RaiseTheWorldProjectNow]

May I ask how long you worked on this one video?

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Thank you for the kind words and support, and yes as long as you continue to make your videos better than the ones before than I have great faith you will reach a place you, and your viewers, are satisfied with! This video took approximately 15 hours of editing, and perhaps around 11-12 hours of study and composing + 1 hour of exporting and metadata.

[@RaiseTheWorldProjectNow]

@@LetsTalkPhilosophy Wow! Thanks so much for your hard work! It is very much appreciated 😃

[@mechailreydon3784]

Great content, it would be great to see you cover some other great 21st century psychologists. keep up the awesome meaningful work! :)

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Thank you for your support! I am glad that you enjoyed the video, perhaps in the future I will run into another individual who is both a psychologist and philosopher.

[@L.K.48]

@@LetsTalkPhilosophy I suggest reading the works of Carl Gustav Jung. Seeing as you have already made a video on Nietzsche, it seems like the next logical step to make a video on him or at least study his work.

[@junesilvermanb2979]

William James (January 11, 1842 - August 26, 1910) was an American philosopher, historian, and psychologist, and the first educator to offer a psychology course in the United States. James is considered to be a leading thinker of the late nineteenth century, one of the most influential philosophers of the United States, and the "Father of American psychology".

[@chelsnmyers]

Beautiful video!

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Thank you!

[@fierypickles4450]

He really resonates with me. Like softer nietzsche in a way. Both resolve things for me. Personal favorites

[@GrantLeeEdwards]

Agreed. I think James observed (rightly) that Nietzsche’s writing sounded like the shrieks of a dying rat. (That reminds me: Dewey is said to have remarked that Heidegger’s writing sounded like someone trying to articulate a modern worldview but having only the intellectual framework and language of a medieval monk. Something to that effect, anyway). You must’ve read Emerson and noticed the eerie similarities to Nietzsche’s ideas. As someone who discovered Emerson only after having read Nietzsche and James and Dewey, I must say that was like learning that your favorite band is actually a shitty cover band of a far superior original artist. Nietzsche wasn’t kidding about Emerson’s remarkable cheerfulness, which wasn’t born of any intellectual complacency or feebleness. I’ve been enamored with Emerson ever since, and as much as I admire Nietzsche’s stylistic flourishes, I have no desire to revisit his books. Of course, advancing beyond old idols sorta keeps one firmly in N’s camp! lol

[@DabbinLlama]

Great stuff man

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Thank you!

[@mannyespinola9228]

Thank you for this video

[@A.P.Sooriyaarachchi]

Thank you for this video. It is helpful my studies.

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

You are very welcome!

[@properpsychology1276]

"Thoughts become perception, perception becomes reality. Alter your thoughts, alter your reality." "The mind is made up by what it feeds upon." "Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." "Why should we think upon things that are lovely? Because thinking determines life." "To change one's life: 1. Start immediately. 2. Do it flamboyantly. 3. No exceptions." -William James (The Father of American Psychology)

[@darianstarfrog]

Wtf! That's exactly my souls virtues!

[@loydmawere7902]

❤

[@mreeyore1968]

Thank you so much for this. Please consider making a companion video on Peirce.

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Thank you for your suggestion, he is on my life, though it is a long list haha!

[@user-hu3iy9gz5j]

Peirce was handsome in his youth

[@Music_Creativity_Science]

Debatable things in philosophy can not only be based on experience so far, it must also be based on our visions and thoughts about the future. Example, we can not exclude a future strike by a medium sized asteroid in our philosophical debate, just because we haven't experienced it yet. The human brain/mind is not just meant to live in the "now", it is equipped (apart from animal brains which only react and act on instincts) to act and defend itself from things/events not yet experienced. We are actually now developing as a force in the star system, soon ready to break out (physically and mentally) from our imaginary prison. Philosophical anthropology is an incredibly interesting topic imo. In my COMMUNITY section: "The human evolution process, an essay with modern philosophical anthropology as a basis" I reflect on the modern human species and its relation to energy transformation and space exploration. My basic question is, should the modern human species still be called an animal, or is it now (soon) so different concerning its behaviour that it doesn't make sense anymore ? An animal has a brain mainly to control its body functions, a modern human is more and more developing towards a brain in focus which needs a body to survive, air and food. This brain is constructed to not accept total randomness and luck for surviving in the solar system, it can by transforming energy (then being able to deflect medium sized asteroids, survive in severe ice ages etc) and spreading out in the star system, willfully affect its own probability for survival. Then it has abandoned the main principle in the animal world, randomness and luck concerning survival in the long run.

[@darianstarfrog]

It's ALOT sooner than you'd believe my friend.

[@spiritualanarchist8162]

I remember the first time our (rather Euro- snobbish : ) philosophy teacher told us about James, He said that even though the U.S hadn't contributed much in the field of philosophy, James single handed done more for philosophy then ten top European philosophers of his time together. Now i doubt if that's true, but he was a very original thinker.

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

In terms of influence I would agree that James is our greatest mind, but personally I much prefer Santayana. Though he remained a European at heart and returned once his time at Harvard was completed, I still see him as an American mind to some degree. Interestingly enough James did not very well respect the works of Santayana, but it is easy to see why if you know the mind of James. Thanks for taking the time to watch the video, I hope it was informative; feel free to give me any feedback regarding how I can make these videos better!

[@spiritualanarchist8162]

@@LetsTalkPhilosophy I always thought Santayana was a Spanish philosopher ? I think everyone knows the quote : 'people not learning from history will be doomed to repeat it ' .But to be honest I don't know much about him or his philosophy.

[@Doctor.T.46]

James was of course very influential in modern thinking on the subject of emotions. Many of his ideas have been taken up by neuroscientists and philosophers alike. Truly a great thinker...even when you disagree with him.

[@AMogus-jr6qk]

Very good

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Thank you for taking the time to watch!

[@oddinaustin]

What outcome do you expect to see by your actions right now? William James felt he was better than everyone else. He was wrong, but his unimportance was unimportant. He still has influence. Thank God.

[@maliktyson7241]

Ahhhh first comment excited to watch!

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

I hope your enjoyed the video, thank you for the support!

[@fernandovillelaaranda5403]

thank you. I was a great video

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Thank you for the support and kind words!

[@darianstarfrog]

Weird..it's alot to go into here.. but his view is EXACTLY as mine has been from birth. ..and never waivers.. so much so I'm about change the world with my research/investigations into the truth of our shared reality. .and what it has produced.. crazy too.. that my bio father is called M.William James , and also how I got here.. to this video today, without ever hearing of him before, by some very suspiciously 'spiritual'(unseen, but wholly explorable with an unending vigour to help relieve all suffering on earth, an unshakable conviction it's possible, and not caring any others input into the manner) ..now I'm having my third major epiphany of the day, abuzz and shaking from intense vibrations over my whole being.. bingo! Just confirmed! Thankyou!

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

I wish you luck on your endeavors and thank you for taking the time to watch!

[@darianstarfrog]

@@LetsTalkPhilosophy much appreciated.. I must say, things have changed dramatically for me since that night of discovery, I am very certain of who I am now, and reality is back to bending with my will.. it's also now obvious my story is on track, it has also strengthened my bonds with the most important, and swore off all drugs forever.. which in turn has given me nightly insightful dreams.. thankyou again for your role in this.. somehow (just a saying, I know exactly how 'realty' works) , you managed to include every detail needed , with exactly the right timing, personality and images for my consciousness to fully 'get/understand' ..I remember now how much I love that about 'life'.. all the syncrinistic events, the majick hidden (if ignorant to it) within all.. what's so interesting, is how we all lost such memories in the first place.. A very clever plot device for certain.. anyway.. would rather not take up too much of your time again.. just thought you'd like to know, yes, it was a permanent epiphany you helped birth.. ;) believe in yourself, it is in no way an exaggeration...when I remind you of your cosmic divinity, your literal infinite myriad of possibilities, to who and/or whatever you wish to be.. dream as though you are still the wide eyed youth, before being taught to 'let it go'.. it most certainly is our greatest power.. much love to you and your kin..

[@sonicaftermath5776]

Just heard a KZbin video by Alan watts called psychology of mystical experience / being in the way. Watts said he’s always been a disciple of William James So here I am checking out this video - Muzzy Fuggy

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Good to have you stop by!

[@peterdelamothe254]

9:00 WOW!

[@user-hu3iy9gz5j]

3:40 Name of painting?

[@davidclifford5393]

Very good. I enjoy James' argument for polytheism. I have a philosophical brother who abhors the idea of determinism. In AA, the 12 steps are built around a belief in God, and the argument is that if it works, don't fret about whether it is scientifically valid. I think the basis of mysticism and faith is that you don't really know, but if adopting those beliefs makes you happy and makes you a more productive person, then why not. Even though he is a pragmatist, he seems to concede that there is probably much more to reality than we are capable of envisioning.

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Indeed, the reason I so thoroughly enjoy reading so many different individuals is for the perspective I may gain from not only their philosophy, but also their life. Each will come to their own conclusions and that is just fine, I hope he and you are able to find purpose in the path or beliefs you choose to follow, whatever they may be. Cheers and thank you for taking the time to comment; sorry that I am late replying, there are a lot of comments to go through haha!

[@freddiepoman3594]

Yes, religion is faith based, while science is logic based. Religion serves a logical need sociologically, that being to create social cohesion at it's core, and to instill feelings of security in a person especially when when enduring severe hardships (this is often the time when people abandon their faith and blame the universe for their troubles though). Posessing faith in a higher power can potentially be illusive in the long term, as some people believe that they will somehow overcome their hardships through a miracle, and therefore feel a lack of motivation to change the things they have control over; this forms the Buddhist and stoic philosophies. It's essentially like winning the lottery, it is theoretically possible, but it most likely will never happen. We need to see what we consider observable results in order to deel as though we are progressing through our hardships. It doesn't matter what reality is, as our mind is what perceives reality, and may not correlate with reality itself. How can we view ourselves beyond our perception of ourselves? That's my point. If we have mo way of perceiving reality other than through ourselves, we may remain in despair through our suffering. Despair can be an asset only if we know how to use it in a manner that allows us to change our situation and be happy. Without seeing our perception of progress, we will never be able to use our despair to end that suffering, as we will be convinced that nothing will get better. This us essentially wbu it helps to have those who can see things from a more objective stance, to challenge a person's cognitive distortions, which may become part of that other person's reality.

[@freddiepoman3594]

@@LetsTalkPhilosophy great video! Your voice is very clear

[@theroboticrabbit3490]

I swear this guy sounds normal at 1.5 playback

[@IN-pr3lw]

I was here looking for a story about "William James Sidis" talking about his theory on energy reserve in the universe not "William James" and philosophy. However, I think it's creepy how they have similar names and talked about "reserved energy" lol

[@IN-pr3lw]

Nevermind. William James Sidis' Father named him "William James Sidis" because his father was friends with the philosopher "William James". This makes sense because he carried the theory of energy reserve and used it on his son to tap into his son's "reserved energy" (His intelligence?). I guess it worked because he has the highest IQ ever.

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Haha, the world's a strange place, thank you for the fun fact though!

[@silverback7783]

No normal inflections ❤😂 makes it a bit harder to understand... but thanks for this overview

[@keepitrandom5066]

you tell story's like the guy in the lighthouse in rick and morty. fade to black.

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

I have no idea how to take that, but I suppose I'll accept it haha.

[@rayray4667]

Hahaha

[@TheMiist]

I don’t understand the belief that “what we believe in thought is reality” as I’ve incorrectly perceived many relationships and circumstances through my own biases and perspective throughout my life. Reality didn’t align with my perception and I had to change my beliefs. Maybe I’m thinking about it too simply but can anyone help me make sense of this? Or maybe there’s no use since my beliefs here mean I’m right (only joking 😉)

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Perhaps the meaning may be simply that what we believe at the time becomes our reality. When our beliefs change so to does our reality. Whether what we believe is correct or not, we still act as if it were the truth, as if it is our reality. Anyway, that may just be a bunch of hogwash, but playing devil's advocate here. Cheers for the questions and thanks for watching!

[@darianstarfrog]

Because there are multiple things at play here.. and it has to be a hard, honest belief, that you will not accept less.. you will soon find a suitable life, as soon as cease to believe in an adversary..in truth.. you ALWAYS knew what you were doing for your own growth.. but not steering it.. eventually you will tire from the low, and a higher road, want it so, believe it so.. no matter what, if you stick certain.. life bends to you.. trust yourself.

[@matthewapsey4869]

Cover Murray Rothbard

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Noted, thank you for the suggestion!

[@matthewapsey4869]

@@LetsTalkPhilosophy Or Rand

[@AL_THOMAS_777]

@@LetsTalkPhilosophy . . .and Silvio Gesell please !

[@szilveszterforgo8776]

This was some School of Life level shit or even better

[@ObsidianMiner32]

School of life isn’t exactly a high bar…

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Regardless of how one sees School of Life your words are very kind, I thank you and am happy to have you hear watching! I will continue to do the best I can and to continue improving, I hope you stick around!

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

They are certainly the most influential channel regarding philosophy on the platform. They do steer toward philosophy as more of a self help guide, which in that case I can understand the popularity. They get things wrong here and there, but we all do, I can appreciate the effort in their videos trying to take on the impossible task of summarizing the thoughts of a philosopher in such short videos. I think most come to philosophy for the purpose of finding guidance on how to live a better life, I believe this is why Stoicism has become such a popular school of thought. I enjoy all aspect of philosophy, but am inclined to ethics and metaphysics; I hope that you are able to find the information here well rounded, or at least accurate.

[@redpillow7221]

I'ma go with: much better.

[@goodozog]

Bingo2

[@JesusRoseAgain]

I need another copy, the pages are all stuck together, eww

[@LetsTalkPhilosophy]

Forgive me if I do not recognize the reference haha.

[@TAP6583]

I love the views of William James and the simplistic understanding of it. Too bad many of his White Man counterparts didn't embrace that way of thinking because it wouldn't be good for them. If we all were allowed to have the true freedom of thought and action as Mr. James points out... we would live in a much better world... life would be fair and free for all...... after all, we all have a brain to think, and decide who we are and what we want to be... unfortunatley this was not allowed for some and thus our world is full of hate, violence and fear... thanks for this video...

[@stokeheart3001]

this reincarnation guy thinks jeffrey mishlove from new thinking allowed is william james reincarnate.

[@JesusRoseAgain]

"not exactly" LOL