The Will to Believe, and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy
The Will to Believe, and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy, published in 1897, collects ten addresses William James gave to students and societies over the previous twenty years. The title essay defends the right to hold a religious belief in advance of proof when the question is live, forced and momentous; others ask whether life is worth living, examine the sentiment of rationality, argue against determinism, consider the moral philosopher and the moral life, defend the role of great men in history, attack Hegelian monism and report on what psychical research had so far accomplished. James writes as a psychologist speaking to ordinary people, with wit and a horror of closed systems; the book is the clearest way into his pragmatism. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
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Frequently asked questions about The Will to Believe, and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy
The Will to Believe, and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy by William James can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
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The first chapter of The Will to Believe, and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Will to Believe, and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy in the public domain?
Yes. The Will to Believe, and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy by William James is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Will to Believe, and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy?
About 6 h 44 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Will to Believe, and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy?
The Will to Believe, and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy by William James is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
