Young William James Thinking

Nonfiction, History, Americas, United States, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy
Cover of the book Young William James Thinking by Paul J. Croce, Johns Hopkins University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Paul J. Croce ISBN: 9781421423661
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press Publication: December 27, 2017
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Paul J. Croce
ISBN: 9781421423661
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication: December 27, 2017
Imprint:
Language: English

During a period of vocational indecision and deep depression, young William James embarked on a circuitous journey, trying out natural history field work, completing medical school, and studying ancient cultures before teaching physiological psychology on his way to becoming a philosopher. A century after his death, Young William James Thinking examines the private thoughts James detailed in his personal correspondence, archival notes, and his first publications to create a compelling portrait of his growth as both man and thinker.

By going to the sources, Paul J. Croce’s cultural biography challenges the conventional contrast commentators have drawn between James’s youthful troubles and his mature achievements. Inverting James’s reputation for inconsistency, Croce shows how he integrated his interests and his struggles into sophisticated thought. His ambivalence became the motivating core of his philosophizing, the heart of his enduring legacy. Readers can follow James in science classes and in personal "speculations," studying medicine and exploring both mainstream and sectarian practices, in museums reflecting on the fate of humanity since ancient times, in love and with heart broken, and in periodic crises of confidence that sometimes even spurred thoughts of suicide.

A case study in coming of age, this book follows the famous American philosopher's vocational work and avocational interests, his education and his frustrations—young James between childhood and fame. Anecdotes placed in the contexts of his choices shed new light on the core commitments within his enormous contributions to psychology, philosophy, and religious studies. James’s hard-won insights, starting with his mediation of science and religion, led to his appreciation of body and mind in relation. Ultimately, Young William James Thinking reveals how James provided a humane vision well suited to our pluralist age.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

During a period of vocational indecision and deep depression, young William James embarked on a circuitous journey, trying out natural history field work, completing medical school, and studying ancient cultures before teaching physiological psychology on his way to becoming a philosopher. A century after his death, Young William James Thinking examines the private thoughts James detailed in his personal correspondence, archival notes, and his first publications to create a compelling portrait of his growth as both man and thinker.

By going to the sources, Paul J. Croce’s cultural biography challenges the conventional contrast commentators have drawn between James’s youthful troubles and his mature achievements. Inverting James’s reputation for inconsistency, Croce shows how he integrated his interests and his struggles into sophisticated thought. His ambivalence became the motivating core of his philosophizing, the heart of his enduring legacy. Readers can follow James in science classes and in personal "speculations," studying medicine and exploring both mainstream and sectarian practices, in museums reflecting on the fate of humanity since ancient times, in love and with heart broken, and in periodic crises of confidence that sometimes even spurred thoughts of suicide.

A case study in coming of age, this book follows the famous American philosopher's vocational work and avocational interests, his education and his frustrations—young James between childhood and fame. Anecdotes placed in the contexts of his choices shed new light on the core commitments within his enormous contributions to psychology, philosophy, and religious studies. James’s hard-won insights, starting with his mediation of science and religion, led to his appreciation of body and mind in relation. Ultimately, Young William James Thinking reveals how James provided a humane vision well suited to our pluralist age.

More books from Johns Hopkins University Press

Cover of the book Imagined Civilizations by Paul J. Croce
Cover of the book The Science of Mom by Paul J. Croce
Cover of the book The Story Within by Paul J. Croce
Cover of the book Smilodon by Paul J. Croce
Cover of the book The Attainment Agenda by Paul J. Croce
Cover of the book The Wildlife Techniques Manual by Paul J. Croce
Cover of the book The Rise of Birds by Paul J. Croce
Cover of the book Cultures and Identities in Colonial British America by Paul J. Croce
Cover of the book Introduction to Biosocial Medicine by Paul J. Croce
Cover of the book Higher Education Accountability by Paul J. Croce
Cover of the book Wordsworth's Ethics by Paul J. Croce
Cover of the book Taking It to the Streets by Paul J. Croce
Cover of the book Transitions to Democracy by Paul J. Croce
Cover of the book When Stories Travel by Paul J. Croce
Cover of the book Telling Genes by Paul J. Croce
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy