Democratic Temperament: The Legacy of William James

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This first book by a political theorist devoted exclusively to James's theory argues that political concerns were in fact central to his intellectual work. Joshua Miller links James to the contemporary public dialogue by treating him as a theorist of action and exploring the complexities of that theory. He also relates the philosopher's thought to his own political experiences and observations and - by explicating, criticizing, and meditating on James - develops provocative new ideas about issues facing democracy today. At the heart of the book is James's description of the "democratic temperament," which comprises a willingness to act, the placing of public good ahead of private comfort, generosity toward one's opponents, and mutual respect among citizens of different viewpoints, races, genders, classes, and religions. Miller sees this temperament as a healthy corrective to the meanspiritedness that characterizes so much current political discourse, which is precisely what makes James's insights so relevant to today's political environment. By revealing how James speaks to the paradoxical condition of modern political existence - withdrawal from public life combined with fanatical action - Miller shows how James's views apply to the possibility and problems of reviving participatory democracy in our era.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly - Cahners\\Publishers_Weekly

In this brief work of political theory, Miller calls attention to the political dimension of William James's philosophical thought, an endeavor which he suggests has previously been overlooked by James's scholars. Miller writes that in the process of being a philosopher, psychologist and teacher, James embodied a 'democratic temperament' which, if embraced by the contemporary world, could serve as a "healthy corrective to the distemper that characterizes so much of politics today." Situating James in the company of political theorists such as Alexis de Tocqueville, Hannah Arendt, and the social Darwinist Herbert Spencer, Miller poses Jamesian theories of pluralism and pragmatism as valuable, though often neglected, "tools" for democratic citizens. In James's emphasis on the "strenuous" or "significant" life-that is, dedication to public service, rejection of materialism, self-doubt, and the willingness to respect others regardless of their differences-Miller finds a model for political action and tolerance. Moreover, he contends that James articulated this model in a context not much different from our own: "flashpoints for hostility then and now include race, religion, region, gender, sexuality, and ideology". Though a provocative piece, this work is ultimately less revealing of James's political inclinations than it is of the author's. In part this is due to the vast amount of information that is alluded or relegated to the copious footnotes, which themselves account for a quarter of the book. Inclusion of this material would not only flesh out Miller's argument, which is by turns skeletal and contradictory, but it would enable his essay to stand alone as a work of Jamesian scholarship.

Publishers Weekly

In this brief work of political theory, Miller calls attention to the political dimension of William James's philosophical thought, an endeavor which he suggests has previously been overlooked by James's scholars. Miller writes that in the process of being a philosopher, psychologist and teacher, James embodied a `democratic temperament' which, if embraced by the contemporary world, could serve as a "healthy corrective to the distemper that characterizes so much of politics today." Situating James in the company of political theorists such as Alexis de Tocqueville, Hannah Arendt, and the social Darwinist Herbert Spencer, Miller poses Jamesian theories of pluralism and pragmatism as valuable, though often neglected, "tools" for democratic citizens. In James's emphasis on the "strenuous" or "significant" lifethat is, dedication to public service, rejection of materialism, self-doubt, and the willingness to respect others regardless of their differencesMiller finds a model for political action and tolerance. Moreover, he contends that James articulated this model in a context not much different from our own: "flashpoints for hostility then and now include race, religion, region, gender, sexuality, and ideology". Though a provocative piece, this work is ultimately less revealing of James's political inclinations than it is of the author's. In part this is due to the vast amount of information that is alluded or relegated to the copious footnotes, which themselves account for a quarter of the book. Inclusion of this material would not only flesh out Miller's argument, which is by turns skeletal and contradictory, but it would enable his essay to stand alone as a work of Jamesian scholarship. (May)

Booknews

American psychologist and pragmatist philosopher James (1842- 1910) is generally considered too individualistic to have had any interest in politics, but Miller argues that political concerns were in fact central to his intellectual work. He finds in James a theorist of action, explores the complexities of his theory, and related his thought to Miller's own experience as a political activist and scholar. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

A beautifully written and argued book about a major, and remarkably neglected, American thinker. The book also stands as an exemplary exercise in the very virtues Miller finds in William James--tolerance, mutual respect, nonviolence. — Jean Bethke Elshtain, author of Democracy on Trial

A sustained and spirited engagement with James's thought, temperament, and style that demonstrates James's relevance to present-day political theory and public politics. Thanks to Miller, James may now walk alongside John Dewey as an exemplar of American democracy. — George Cotkin, author of William James, Public Philosopher

As Miller shows, it would be good if more people read James as a political and social thinker who is good for our times. — Gerald Myers, author of William James: His Life and Thought

A convincing and engaging portrait. — R. J. Lustig, author of Corporate Liberalism: The Origins of Modern Amercan Political Theory, 1890-1920