William James on the Courage to Believe [Hardcover]

William James celebrated lecture on The Will to Believe has kindled spirited controversy since the day it was delivered. In this lively reappraisal of that controversy, Father OConnell contributes some fresh contentions: that James argument should be viewed against his indebtedness to Pascal and Renouvier; that it works primarily to validate our over-beliefs ; and most surprising perhaps, that James envisages our passional nature as intervening, not after, but before and throughout, our intellectual weighing of the evidence for belief.Robert J. OConnell, S.J., was Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University.A thorough and sympathetic analysis of James lecture on The Will to Believe, a lecture which-once read-does not admit of being easily left aside. OConnell takes on those critics who have reckless wishful thinking. Central to OConnells approach is his very helpful treatment of the passional side of human nature and the role it plays in James epistemology. It is not merely an element to be brought in when the intellect has reached an impasse. A valuable and important book