“Our faith is faith in some one else's faith, and in the greatest matters this is most the case. Our belief in truth itself, for instance, that there is a truth, and that our minds and it are made for each other,--what is it but a passionate affirmation of desire, in which our social system backs us up? We want to have a truth; we want to believe that our experiments and studies and discussions must put us in a continually better and better position towards it; and on this line we agree to fight out our thinking lives.”

Share & Save

Meaning

Not documented yet.

When It Was Said

Not documented yet.

Who It Was Said To

Not documented yet.

Historical Context

Not documented yet.

Source

Not documented yet.

Original Language & Translation

Originally said in English.

Did They Really Say It?

Not documented yet.

Did You Know?

Not documented yet.

About William James

American psychologist and philosopher, late 19th to early 20th century. He founded functional psychology and explored the interplay between mind and body, emphasizing practical experience and individual freedom. His work on pragmatism and religious belief remains influential in both academic and personal thought.

More from William James (152 quotes) →
"Our faith is faith in some one else's faith, and in the greatest matt…" — William James | Daily Quotes