In William James', “The Will to Believe, James provides a defensive response to religious faith regarding W. T. Clifford's position in his essay, "The Ethics of Belief" (James, 2001). Within his stance, James suggests that his views have a somewhat broader scope that Clifford’s (Princeton University, n.d.). Moreover, that in certain cases, it is not only permissible but inevitable that a person’s passional, non-rational nature will determine that person’s belief (Princeton University, n.d.).
In summary, James presents that anything that is proposed for our belief is a hypothesis and that any question about which of the two hypotheses to accept is a person’s option (Princeton University, n.d.). James provides his hypothesis presented …show more content…
Within his abstract, James states that a person has the right to believe at his or her own risk, any hypotheses that are considered live enough to tempt our will (Corbett, 1980). James’ concrete manner added that a person’s freedom to believe can only cover living options, which ones intellect alone cannot resolve (Corbett, 1980). Furthermore, that living options never seem as absurdities to the person who has to consider them (Corbett, 1980). Overall, James finds that Clifford’s argument is unconvincing because Clifford is afraid of possible error created by using his (Clifford’s) own passion was permitted.
References: Burger, A. J. (2001). An Examination of ‘The Will to Believe’. Retrieved October 6, 2017, from http://ajburger.homestead.com/files/book.htm Corbett, B. (1980). The Will to Believe. William James. Retrieved from http://faculty.webster.edu/corbetre/philosophy/misc/james.html James, W. (2001). The Will to Believe. Retrieved October 2, 2017, from http://ajburger.homestead.com/files/book.htm#preface
Notes on James, "The Will to Believe". (n.d.). Retrieved October 06, 2017, from https://www4.uwsp.edu/philosophy/dwarren/IntroBook/CliffordJames/James/james%202.htm
Princeton University. (n.d.). The Will to Believe. Retrieved October 06, 2017, from
In summary, James presents that anything that is proposed for our belief is a hypothesis and that any question about which of the two hypotheses to accept is a person’s option (Princeton University, n.d.). James provides his hypothesis presented …show more content…
Within his abstract, James states that a person has the right to believe at his or her own risk, any hypotheses that are considered live enough to tempt our will (Corbett, 1980). James’ concrete manner added that a person’s freedom to believe can only cover living options, which ones intellect alone cannot resolve (Corbett, 1980). Furthermore, that living options never seem as absurdities to the person who has to consider them (Corbett, 1980). Overall, James finds that Clifford’s argument is unconvincing because Clifford is afraid of possible error created by using his (Clifford’s) own passion was permitted.
References: Burger, A. J. (2001). An Examination of ‘The Will to Believe’. Retrieved October 6, 2017, from http://ajburger.homestead.com/files/book.htm Corbett, B. (1980). The Will to Believe. William James. Retrieved from http://faculty.webster.edu/corbetre/philosophy/misc/james.html James, W. (2001). The Will to Believe. Retrieved October 2, 2017, from http://ajburger.homestead.com/files/book.htm#preface
Notes on James, "The Will to Believe". (n.d.). Retrieved October 06, 2017, from https://www4.uwsp.edu/philosophy/dwarren/IntroBook/CliffordJames/James/james%202.htm
Princeton University. (n.d.). The Will to Believe. Retrieved October 06, 2017, from