Radical Empiricism (Pocket Classic)

Author: (American) James, translated by Pang Jingren
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: The editor was driven by two motivations when preparing this book for publication. On one hand, it aimed to preserve and present some important articles that could not be found in Professor James's other works. This was the case for the first twelve chapters. On the other hand, it sought to compile a set of papers that systematically elaborated on an independent, coherent, and fundamental theory. For this purpose, it seemed best to include three papers that were originally part of the plan but later published elsewhere (Chapter 3, Chapter 6, and Chapter 7), as well as one paper that was not initially planned (Chapter 12). Chapters 3, 6, and 7 are indispensable for the continuity of the series, and they are woven so closely with the rest of the chapters that it is necessary for students to have them at hand for reference. Chapter 12 provides important clarification on the author's general "empiricism" and serves as a significant bridge between "radical empiricism" and the author's other theories. The purpose of this book is to fulfill a plan arranged several years before the death of William James. In 1907, James collected some of his published articles, put them in a folder titled "Radical Empiricism," and had copies bound and placed in the Harvard General Library and the Emerson Hall Philosophy Library for student use. This book now brings these articles together for publication, which will be useful not only for students studying Professor James's philosophy but also for those studying metaphysics and epistemology. It systematically and concisely elaborates on the theory of "radical empiricism."