William James on the Meaning of Life

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 An assistant professor and faculty member at al-Mustafa International University

2 An assistant professor and faculty member at al-Mustafa International University.

Abstract

In what follows, the authors have dealt with William James on the meaning of life. Their approach is philosophical and their method is descriptive-analytic based on library references. By the meaning of life, they mean the aim of life i.e. happiness and good ending. Findings of the research show that James approach, from among many, is humanistic; namely, in his view, happiness is taken into consideration as a fundamental aim carrying the meaning of life for man. According to the principles of relativity, utility, will to believe, and the right of belief, James goes to hold that meaning and happiness are two things none-concrete, relative, and might be made. Everybody, he says, can define and produce this meaning as per his own will and belief and makes it real in his life. The article ends with the examination of James’s view, the ill-founded principles and lack of logical coherence in his theory of the meaning of life.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Hikmat-e-Islami
Volume 8, Issue 30 - Serial Number 30
January 2022
Pages 113-134

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History

  • Receive Date: 01 September 2020
  • Revise Date: 01 April 2021
  • Accept Date: 03 May 2021

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