The Philosophy of William James, Drawn from His Own Works

What it is

This 1925 book, published by the Modern Library, is an anthology of William James's own writings on philosophy. It includes an introduction by Horace M. Kallen, a philosopher connected to the New School for Social Research. The preface explains that James's thinking had been scattered across many books and papers, and this volume brings key passages together. The scanned copy is held by the Internet Archive.

Why it matters

Because James's philosophical ideas appeared across many separate works, an anthology like this makes his thought more accessible. It reflects how, soon after his death, editors and former colleagues worked to preserve and organize his legacy for new readers.

Look closer

• Why might an anthology, rather than a single complete book, be a useful way to present a philosopher's ideas?
• What choices did the editor have to make when selecting which of James's words to include?
• How might Kallen's introduction shape how readers understand James's philosophy?