WJS Newsletter (NEW!) – William James Society

https://wjsociety.org/news/

Remembrances for John Lachs

The Pluralist

https://bsky.app/profile/illinoispress.bsky.social/post/3lnzuc76hmj2b

“cowboy individualism”

As we were discussing last night in our MALA class "Engaging American Philosophy"…

"…The rate at which America's government, health, defense, and economy is degrading shows that reality will not conform to the myth of the American cowboy. The cover of The Economist today shows a battered and heavily bandaged eagle under the caption: "Only 1,361 Days To Go."

The American people seem to be realizing that the rhetoric of cowboy individualism is a very different thing than its reality. Trump's poll numbers are dropping sharply. A Reuters poll found that just 37% of Americans approve of his handling of the economy, which was supposed to be his strong suit. An Economist/YouGov poll found Trump's approval rating was –13, with 54% of Americans disapproving of the way he is handling the presidency and only 41% approving."

HCR https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/april-24-2025?r=35ogp&utm_medium=ios

Due process

Suddenly no one knows what due process means?
Let me help.

https://www.threads.com/@sherrilynifill/post/DI176T_R8xj?xmt=AQGzsVmc3cmQrGwuU59pIrFu1Q_4yA28XAXDbxYrncbdKA

"How did you become an American philosopher?"

...I stumbled into it while stumbling into philosophy. After earning an undergraduate degree in physiological psychology, I worked as a night watchman while exploring process philosophy by reading Teilhard de Chardin, Goethe, and evolutionary theorists. I became enamored with A. N. Whitehead but was stumped by Process and Reality. I also thought science was ruining the world, and I had to master it to save myself. I decided to pursue a doctorate in the philosophy of science and another undergraduate degree in physics. (I later realized I was mistaken about science.) Having never taken a philosophy course, Florida State accepted me provisionally... Jim Garrison

Bewilderment

Such a gorgeous, gorgeous reminder that the future is not yet written and the pen is in our hands: https://www.themarginalian.org/2023/01/05/richard-powers-thea/

MALA 6010: Engaging the Liberal Arts/American Philosophy (Spring 2025)

MALA students: this is the site I've created to support courses in American philosophy. Feel free to browse here, and comment on anything you find of interest. jpo

Engaging the Liberal Arts MALA course (my block Apr 17, 24)--

Block Title: Engaging American Philosophy

Block Description: This block introduces the classical American philosophical tradition of William James, John  Dewey, Richard Rorty and others. It is a broadly pragmatic, humanistic, melioristic, and interdisciplinary tradition, oriented to action (not merely contemplation) in the public arena. It insists that thought without action is vacuous, while action without thought is reckless. It demands relevance from philosophy and the other liberal arts disciplines, and is unwilling to sacrifice meaning or happiness in the fight for a better world. We'll investigate the philosophers' views and how they might apply to our present situation and circumstances.

Week 1 Readings/assignments: Selections from classic sources James, Dewey, Rorty... tba

Week 2 Readings/assignments: Selections from contemporary sources like Martha Nussbaum, Rebecca Solnit, Louis Menand, Doug Anderson... tba

Grade Distribution: 75 points participation (attendance, blog posts), 75 points report (classroom presentation on an assigned topic)