One of my favorite American philosophers and pioneers in consciousness is William James. I like to read his quotes for an expansion of thoughts and when I need reminding of the bigger picture. William James (1842-1910) was an American philosopher, psychologist, and pragmatic thinker who made significant contributions to the fields of psychology, philosophy, and education.
James was a key figure in the development of pragmatism, a philosophical approach that emphasizes the practical consequences of beliefs and the importance of experience.
Along with his writing in philosophy, James made significant contributions to psychology, particularly in the areas of consciousness, emotion, and the will to believe.
William James continued to lecture and write until his death on August 26, 1910.
William James' work laid the groundwork for many developments in psychology and philosophy in the 20th century, and his pragmatic approach continues to influence various fields today. His insights into the interconnectedness of belief, action, and experience remain relevant and thought-provoking.
Famous Quotes by William James:
- "Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact."
- "The great use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it."
- "The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook."
- "Truth is something that happens to an idea."
- "We are like islands in the sea, separate on the surface but connected in the deep."
- "Philosophy is at once the most sublime and the most trivial of human pursuits."
- "Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."
- "My experience is what I agree to attend to."
- "The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another."
- "To change one’s life: Start immediately. Do it flamboyantly."
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