Ever Not Quite: Pluralism(s) in William James and Contemporary Psychology [Paperback]

Examines ideas of pluralism in William James's writings and contemporary psychology.Founding psychologist William James famously called for pluralism, valuing psychology's range of theoretical and philosophical foundations, methods and perspectives. In this book, Araujo and Osbeck investigate the meanings of pluralism across James's writings, connecting them to psychological research and theory today.Founding psychologist William James famously called for pluralism, valuing psychology's range of theoretical and philosophical foundations, methods and perspectives. In this book, Araujo and Osbeck investigate the meanings of pluralism across James's writings, connecting them to psychological research and theory today.William James made many references to pluralism throughout his career. Interestingly, many contemporary psychologists also discuss pluralism and indeed call for pluralism as a corrective to the discipline's philosophical and methodological foundations. Yet, pluralism and the purposes to which it is applied are understood in a variety of ways, and the relation of contemporary pluralism to the pluralism(s) of William James is uncertain. This book offers conceptual clarification in both contexts, first distinguishing diverse senses of pluralism in psychology and then systematically examining different forms of pluralism across the writings of James. A comparison of meanings and analysis of implications follows, aimed at illuminating what is at stake in ongoing calls for pluralism in psychology.1. The problem of pluralism(s); 2. Pluralism(s) in contemporary psychology; 3. 'Pluralism' and related terms in the broader context of James's life and writing; 4. A systematic analysis of James's pluralism(s); 5. Implications of pluralism for contemporary psychology; 6. Concluding remarks.This book presents abundant evidence for the pluralism in William James's understanding of the human thought and action. It documents James's close reading of psychological and philol8