Feminist Interpretations of William James

Feminist Interpretations of William James, Volume 1, examines the intersection of pragmatism and feminist theory. While William James is a central figure in American psychology and philosophy, his Victorian perspectives often marginalized women. This scholarly work analyzes the problematic elements of his thought while proposing a novel feminist approach to his ethical philosophy. It addresses epistemic contestations within his pragmatism to determine how his ideas can be repurposed to challenge sexism and male privilege.

As part of the Re-Reading the Canon series, this volume of philosophy and social science provides a critical analysis of James's controversial texts. Contributors use feminist theory and political criticism to move beyond simple critique, instead utilizing Jamesian philosophy in the service of feminism. This text serves as a rigorous study of modern pragmatism and the history of individual philosophers within the context of social movements.