William James (1842–1910) was an American philosopher and psychologist who was also trained as a physician. He wrote influential books on the young science of psychology, educational psychology, psychology of religious experience and mysticism, and the philosophy of pragmatism.
James is considered one of the most influential philosophers in history. He was a popular lecturer and conversationalist in America and Europe. His work has influenced intellectuals such as Henri Bergson (1859–1941) and Albert Einstein (1879–1955). His writing style is often characterized by wit and humor; his ideas have been used to explain a wide array of diverse phenomena such as religion, mysticism, ethics, aesthetics and human behavior.
Philosopher’ work has had a considerable influence on literature and the arts. He is considered one of the founders of functional psychology. He was a mentor to many important thinkers including John Dewey, F.C.S Schiller, W.E.B. Du Bois, Charles Sanders Peirce and Lev Vygotsky who were all influenced by his views on pragmatism and pluralism. James also emphasized the importance of practical application over purely theoretical knowledge in his efforts to reform education at Harvard University where he taught for over 35 years.
Moreover, James wrote widely about many topics, including epistemology, metaphysics, psychology, education, religion, medicine and his views on socialism. He also published several works of fiction including what has been called his masterwork “The Portrait of a Lady,” which also served as an important influence on Henry James (1843–1916), the eldest son of William James.
