William James : Writings 1878-1899 : Psychology, Briefer Course / The Will to Believe / Talks to Teachers and Students / Essays (Library of America)

The brilliant, engagingly written early works of the writer and teacher who has profoundly influenced the way Americans think. "The Will to Believe and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy" argues that each of us has the right to believe in hypotheses that are not susceptible to proof and that such beliefs might actually change the world. Also includes "Psychology: Briefer Course," a condensed and revised version of the monumental "Principles of Psychology," "Talks to Teachers and Students," and nine important essays.