“It is as if there were in the human consciousness a sense of reality, a feeling of objective presence, a perception of what we may call ‘something there,’ more deep and more general than any of the special and particular ‘senses’ by which the current psychology supposes existent realities to be originally revealed. If this were so, we might suppose the senses to waken our attitudes and conduct as they so habitually do, by first exciting this sense of reality; but anything else, any idea, for example, that might similarly excite it, would have that same prerogative of appearing real which objects of sense normally possess.”

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About William James

American philosopher and psychologist

William James was an American philosopher and psychologist. He lived in the late 19th century and is often called the father of American psychology. He has 152 quotes on the site. He was the first educator to teach a psychology course in the United States. James is regarded as one of the leading thinkers of his time and as one of the most influential philosophers. His work helped shape the study of psychology in America.

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Books by William James

The Varieties of Religious Experience

1902

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Pluralistic Universe

1909

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