Tag Archives: William James

If merely ‘feeling good’ could decide, drunkenness would be the supremely valid human experience.

If merely ‘feeling good’ could decide, drunkenness would be the supremely valid human experience. – William James What does that mean? This quote is part of a larger discussion of the way we make decisions and determine what we think … Continue reading

Posted in contemplation, decision, judgement, moderation, struggle, time | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on If merely ‘feeling good’ could decide, drunkenness would be the supremely valid human experience.

Everybody should do at least two things each day that he hates to do, just for practice.

Everybody should do at least two things each day that he hates to do, just for practice. – William James What does that mean? This is a paraphrasing of a longer quote, wherein we are urged to practice doing things … Continue reading

Posted in doing, habits, learning, observation, preparation, repetition | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.

A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices. – William James What does that mean? At theFreeDictionary.com, prejudice is defined as “An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination … Continue reading

Posted in belief, discovery, question, skepticism, thinking, truth | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.

The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it. – William James What does that mean? What do we do with our lives? Yes, we eat and work and sleep and play, but when … Continue reading

Posted in altruism, direction, giving, ideals, innovation, service | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

When you have to make a choice and don’t make it, that is in itself a choice

When you have to make a choice and don’t make it, that is in itself a choice. – William James What does that mean? To quote the rock band Rush, “If you choose not to decide, you still have made … Continue reading

Posted in choice, decision, freedom, intelligence, question, thinking | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments