In his introduction to this collection, John McDermott presents James's thinking in all its manifestations, stressing the importance of radical empiricism and placing into perspective the doctrines of pragmatism and the will to believe. The critical periods of James's life are highlighted to illuminate the development of his philosophical and psychological thought. The anthology features representive selections from
The Principles of Psychology, The Will to Believe
, and
The Variety of Religious Experience
in addition to the complete
Essays in Radical Empiricism
and
A Pluralistic Universe
. The original 1907 edition of
Pragmatism
is included, as well as classic selections from all of James's other major works. Of particular significance for James scholarship is the supplemented version of Ralph Barton Perry's
Annotated Bibliography of the Writings of William James
, with additions bringing it up to 1976.