In calling attention to some objections to the views advanced by
Professor James on the subjects of Belief, Emotion, and Will, it is only
justice to myself to express the admiration I feel for his work as a
whole. The thoroughly scientific spirit which pervades it, the author’s
candor in admitting and his skill in surmounting difficulties, his
learning and his originality, his aptness in illustration, and the energy
and vivacity of his style combine to make it full of interest as well as
instruction. It is because it should be, and doubtless will be widely
influential, that it is important that any doubtful positions assumed in
it should be subjected to a careful examination.
I shall endeavor to avoid any misrepresentation of the views which I
combat, but space will not allow me to do full justice to the arguments
by which they are supported, if such a thing is possible for an
antagonist. For this, I must refer the interested reader to the original
book. If what I have to say should have the effect of increasing the
number of its readers, I shall not have written altogether in vain,
whether I succeed or fail in setting the truth in a clearer light.