The modern world has witnessed tremendous increases in prosperity, and that material abundance has spurred great achievements. But these successes have also brought enormous and troubling side effects. Climate change, biodiversity loss, social inequality, and more problems have grown into crises with potential to challenge the achievements themselves. Alongside these challenges, many outstanding proposals have also emerged for dealing with our present crises. The crises and the insights for addressing them are in a harrowing competition, reminiscent of what H. G. Wells called “a race between education and catastrophe.” During recent chapters of this contest, especially in the United States, sound suggestions for halting or reversing environmental deterioration and for reducing class and racial inequities have gained some public and political support but have also met considerable resistance.1 While direct work to address the crises is important, those efforts can be supported with understanding of the people and ideologies...
Prelude to Tackling Contemporary Crises: William James and a Psychological Springboard to Political Change
Paul Croce teaches History and American Studies at Stetson University on topics that confront deep values differences. His first book sets James in contexts of modern declining certainties, and Young William James Thinking presents him, between childhood and fame, developing capacities to learn across differences. Croce has served as James Society President and William James Lecturer, Universität Potsdam, Germany. He currently uses Jamesian theory to address topics from his teaching for writings in the PublicClassroom.com.
Paul Croce; Prelude to Tackling Contemporary Crises: William James and a Psychological Springboard to Political Change. American Journal of Theology & Philosophy 1 January 2023; 44 (1): 26–46. doi: https://doi.org/10.5406/21564795.44.1.02
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