Authors
1
PhD student of Islamic philosophy and theology, Faculty of Humanities, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University (SRTTU), Tehran, Iran
2
Professor of Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University (SRTTU), Tehran, Iran
10.22080/jre.2024.26567.1191
Abstract
Obligationism is one of the consequences of voluntary belief; therefore, the relationship between will and belief is of interest to epistemologists. The main question of this research is to investigate this relationship from William James' point of view, to determine whether from his point of view, non-cognitive factors are also effective in belief, and what effect human will and voluntary nature have on a person's beliefs. This study concluded that although William James disagreed with Clifford's command of direct voluntarism, he was a voluntarist himself. From his point of view, man’s emotional nature not only can, but must choose between hypotheses, and of course, this is only possible in the case of "genuine" choices. From James' point of view, previous acceptances, reputation, and authority of others; practical application of belief; and inclinations are effective in the will to believe. In contrast to Clifford, who did not believe in the belief without sufficient evidence, he believes that man should experience, repeat this experience, and reach the truth by thinking about the results obtained from these experiences. From his point of view, the role of will is prominent in ethics, and the will also plays a role in personal relationships. James believes that one’s prior tendencies and belief in reality play an active role in the realization of that reality.
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