What William James thinks about happiness
American philosopher and psychologist (1842 to 1910); studied at Harvard; author of The Principles of Psychology (1890), The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902) and Pragmatism (1907).
William James did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
Filter happiness · Newest first
Only William James on happiness. See everyone on happiness
2 dated positions, c. 1879–1896 to c. 1902, in their own words. Our reading of what William James has said — not written or endorsed by them.
-
Their wordsTo be converted, to be regenerated, to receive grace, to experience religion, to gain an assurance, are so many phrases which denote the process, gradual or sudden, by which a self hitherto divided, and consciously wrong inferior and unhappy, becomes unified and consciously right superior and happy, in consequence of its firmer hold upon religious realities.
↗The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902)gutenberg.org All 17 from this book
-
Their wordsOur errors are surely not such awfully solemn things. In a world where we are so certain to incur them in spite of all our caution, a certain lightness of heart seems healthier than this excessive nervousness on their behalf.
↗The Will to Believe, and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy (1879-1896)gutenberg.org All 19 from this book