I want to second Nancy’s comment here. For folks new to the list, Steve did a wonderful job taking the list through Stephen Pepper’s World Hypotheses. To go through James’ Principles in a similar way will be a treat for me!
Best,
Gregg
From: tree of knowledge system discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Nancy Link
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2018 11:08 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: William James and the Problem of Psychology
Steve,
I applaud your bringing William James back to our awareness. I remember when I read his Principles that I was impressed with how much was known about psychological functioning in 1890.
When he was writing his Principles, James was struggling to promote his vision of psychology as the study of mental life against the rising tide of behaviourism. He ultimately lost that battle
and retreated back to philosophy.
He had a unique way of blending the introspective experience of the individual and with scientific findings. I fear we won’t see the likes of him again.
I look forward to your notes.
Nancy
From: tree of knowledge system discussion <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Steven Quackenbush <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: tree of knowledge system discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, June 25, 2018 at 3:56 PM
To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: William James and the Problem of Psychology
Dear ToK community,
This fall, I am co-teaching (with Frank Underkuffler, a colleague in our philosophy department) a course entitled
Philosophical Psychology. We have offered this class twice in the last few years, and we typically focus on issues of interest to this group, including the general problem of disciplinary identity. In fact, we used Gregg's
A New Unified Theory of Psychology as a primary text when we taught the course in Spring 2014.
This year, we are trying something a little different. There are times when it is appropriate to take four steps back before taking five forward. In this spirit, I feel compelled (as if by some
mysterious force) to read William James' (1890) Principles of Psychology in an effort to deepen my understanding of what it means to be a psychologist in the first half of the 21st century.
I've studied large sections of this book in the past, but never the whole thing [from cover(s) to cover(s)]. My colleague and I have decided to adopt
Principles of Psychology as our primary text this fall. Of course, we will not likely assign every chapter (and we will almost certainly "skip around", discussing material in whatever order makes the most pedagogical sense, given the questions we are
addressing in the class).
But this summer I plan to read the entire book -- chapter by chapter -- in order. I will be guided by three preliminary questions (which may themselves evolve over time).
1) How does James conceive the discipline of psychology?
2) William James has been characterized as a "personalist"; e.g., see the NYT article by David Brooks forwarded to this listserv by Gregg a few weeks ago. If personalism "is
a philosophic tendency built on the infinite uniqueness and depth of each person" (Brooks), in what respect(s) does
The Principles of Psychology offer a personalistic account of the human organism? What does it mean to consider James a personalist?
3) Is there an ethics implicit in
Principles of Psychology? Note that this question may be closely tied to Question #2. Also note that Questions #2 and #3 will likely need to be modified as my understanding of William James deepens. [Sometimes, the question to ask at the beginning
of a study of this sort is simply: "What questions should I be asking?". All I can really say at present is that I am especially interested in James' (a) vision of psychology, (b) account of the person, and (c) understanding of the Good Life.]
My outline of Chapter 1 [which addresses Question #1 above] is attached. I plan to proceed on the following schedule:
I will prepare notes for each of these readings. My intention (as always) is for these notes to make sense to those who haven't read James' text. However, I will focus on themes relevant to my
guiding questions (outlined above). I am not trying to craft a synopsis of each section.
For those interested in accompanying me on this journey, the complete text is available online here:
http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/James/Principles/index.htm
I am using the following print edition:
I welcome your input on the attached notes (or any other aspect of this project).
~ Steve Q.
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