Born Quote by William James
““However inadequate our ideas of causal efficacy may be, we are less wide of the mark when we say that our ideas and feelings have it, than the Automatists are when they say they haven’t it. As in the night all cats are gray, so in the darkness of metaphysical criticism all causes are obscure. But one has no right to pull the pall over the psychic half of the subject only . . . whilst in the same breath one dogmatizes about material causation as if Hume, Kant, and Lotze had never been born.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Principles of Psychology, 1890
James argues that while our mental concepts of cause are imperfect, they are still more accurate than the strict denial of any causal power by radical materialists.
In simple terms: Mental causation is more plausible than denying it entirely.
Key Takeaway
Recognize mental influence despite its mystery.
Themes
philosophy
psychology
causality
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- therapy
- personal decision‑making
- creative work
- scientific research
Key Concepts
mind‑body problem
epistemology
metaphysics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance skepticism with belief in mental influence?
- What evidence supports mental causation?
A Different Perspective
Denial of mental causation can overlook genuine psychological effects.
