A study on the philosophy of William James

Author(s)

André Oídes Matoso e Silva

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH/SBD)
• Defense date: 2011-09-02

Examining board members

Joao Vergilio Gallerani Cuter; Bento Prado de Almeida Ferraz Neto; Marcus Sacrini Ayres Ferraz

• Advisor: Joao Vergilio Gallerani Cuter

Abstract

In this study, we present a view on the relationship between psychology and philosophy in the work of William James and a discussion of some important elements of his worldview. According to this view, while psychology functions as a preparation for philosophy, the latter serves to investigate and evaluate the foundations of the former. Thus psychology and philosophy mutually support each other in the task of solving fundamental problems of human existence. In addition to the investigation of this relationship, the study starts from the recognition of a distinctly soteriological tendency in Jamess thought, expressed in his affirmation that religion is mankinds most important function. This soteriological tendency guides his work in the fields of psychology and philosophy around the problems of human nature and the human condition, and makes him strive toward a reconciliation between science and religion. We argue that he has success in attaining this reconciliation through his analysis of the metaphysical assumptions of science and the formulation of a theory of consciousness that supplies a common ground for both science and religion. Thus he produces a philosophical view that is valuable to philosophy and psychology even today. (AU)