From my PhD
William James
2010 Theodicy and Practical Theology: PhD thesis, the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, LampeterWilliam James (1842-1910)[1] is a well-known American philosopher,[2] psychologist [3] and a founder of the philosophy of pragmatism.[4] John K. Roth (1892-1907)(1969) explains within the Introduction to The Moral Philosophy of William James that James’ pragmatism emphasizes the human ability to choose an individual lifestyle from several actual and authentic possibilities.[5] Pragmatism emphasized the need for a community of free thought that was open to inquiry and testing.[6] Concepts are to be considered without ‘initial prejudice.’[7] A pragmatic approach should analyze and clarify forms of human experience and action in order to bring harmony to human community.[8]
[1] McDermott
(1996: 385). Burr and Goldinger (1976: 145).
Peterson, Hasker, Reichenbach, and Basinger (1996: 71). Roth
(1892-1907)(1969: 1).
[2] John
K. Roth writes that James was a dominant philosopher within James’ time. Roth
(1892-1907)(1969: 1). James’ ‘life and philosophy reflect a delight
in the sheer variety of human experience.’ Roth (1892-1907)(1969: 1).
James is known as one of America’s greatest
philosophers. Burr and Goldinger (1976:
145).
[3] McDermott
(1996: 385). Burr and Goldinger (1976:
145). James
found that his study and teaching within psychology brought up philosophical
issues that were not always covered within psychology. Roth (1892-1907)(1969: 2).
[4] McDermott
(1996: 385). Burr and Goldinger (1976:
145). James and C.S. Peirce have set forth the theory that a
statement/proposition is interpreted in terms of practical consequences. Pojman
(1996: 598). James wrote the text Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of
Thinking in 1907.
[5] Roth
(1892-1907)(1969: 3-4).
[6] Roth
(1892-1907)(1969: 14).
[7] Roth
(1892-1907)(1969: 14).
[8] Roth (1892-1907)(1969: 14). Even a critic of James’ pragmatism can admit communities with harmony often bring about positive consequences for those of various worldviews within it. Peace, would be a prime example.
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GEISLER, NORMAN, L (1999) ‘The Problem of Evil’, in Baker Encyclopedia of Apologetics, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.
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JAMES, WILLIAM (1907) Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking, Longman and Green Company, New York.
MCDERMOTT, JOHN J. (1996) ‘James, William’ in Robert Audi (ed.), The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
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POJMAN, LOUIS P. (1996) Philosophy: The Quest for Truth, New York, Wadsworth Publishing Company.
ROTH, JOHN K. ‘Introduction’ (1892-1907)(1969) in The Moral Philosophy of William James, John K. Roth (ed.), Thomas Y. Crowell Company, New York.
ROTH, JOHN K. (1981) Encountering Evil, Stephen T. Davis (ed.), Atlanta, John Knox Press.
