Primary sourceBook1879
The Sentiment of Rationality
William James · 1879
An 1879 essay by William James exploring how philosophical belief is shaped by temperament and practical need, an early step toward his pragmatism.
James wrote this essay himself, laying early groundwork for the pragmatist philosophy he would later develop.
About this source
What it is
This essay was written by William James and published in the journal Mind in 1879. In it he examines what philosophers are trying to achieve when they seek rational understanding, and argues that the feeling of rationality is a subjective, emotional experience rather than a purely logical one.
Why it matters
This early essay shows James grounding philosophical belief in human temperament and practical need rather than pure logic, an idea that would later become central to his pragmatist philosophy. It offers students an early look at how James's distinctive way of thinking about truth and belief began to take shape years before he became famous.
Look closer
- What does James mean by calling rationality a "feeling" rather than a purely logical state?
- Why might James compare the philosopher to a "boor" who accepts less justification?
- How does this early essay connect to ideas you may know about pragmatism?
This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of William James on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
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