William James

Date of Birth: January 11, 1842

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: August 26, 1910

Biography

William James was an American philosopher and psychologist who is often referred to as the “Father of American psychology.” He was born on January 11, 1842, in New York City into a wealthy and intellectual family. James was the son of Henry James Sr., a Swedenborgian theologian, and the brother of the renowned novelist Henry James. He studied at Harvard Medical School, where he initially pursued a career in medicine but eventually shifted his focus to philosophy and psychology. James is best known for his work in pragmatism and functional psychology. His seminal book, “The Principles of Psychology,” published in 1890, is considered one of the most important texts in the field. He also made significant contributions to the philosophy of religion and mysticism, particularly with his work “The Varieties of Religious Experience.” Throughout his career, James was a prolific writer and a sought-after lecturer. He was a founding member of the American Society for Psychical Research and served as the president of the American Psychological Association. William James passed away on August 26, 1910, leaving behind a legacy that profoundly influenced both psychology and philosophy.

5 Interesting Facts about William James

1. William James was the first educator to offer a psychology course in the United States.

2. He coined the term “stream of consciousness” to describe the flow of thoughts in the human mind.

3. James was a strong advocate of the philosophy of pragmatism, which evaluates theories or beliefs in terms of the success of their practical application.

4. He suffered from severe health issues throughout his life, including depression and heart problems.

5. James was deeply interested in mystical experiences and parapsychology, and he conducted extensive research on these subjects.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from William James

1. “The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes.”

2. “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”

3. “The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.”

4. “A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.”

5. “Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

William James’s net worth is not well-documented, as he lived in an era when such metrics were not commonly tracked for academics and intellectuals. However, he was born into a wealthy family and lived comfortably throughout his life.