Professor McDermott's scholarship and authority prove so easy and accessible from his armchair perch; yet he holds one's attention throughout on the three essential points of Jamesian psychology which he deems of fundamental importance: Habit and Consequences, Stream of Consciousness, and the role of Will (Volition). His Introduction to William James explores the influence of his familial background, multiple travels and his broad education as well as James' physical and mental health challenges as he stumbled into adulthood. Born of native genius and constant study, a restless mind disciplined by his training as a physician, James scrutinized the brain first neurologically. His keen observation led him from the laboratory to study human behavior in everyday life, while his deep humanity prompted his philosophical ruminations on Man's spiritual dimensions within this world-- and beyond. In his summary, McDermott reminds us that James crossed categories to forge his illuminating theories transcending both Psychology and Philosophy, his legacy coming down to us a century later still as vibrant and compelling as when first articulated in the Principles of Psychology (1890).
One has to applaud the successful and seamless collaboration of Professor McDermott's and Davidson Films to produce this most informative study. McDermott's clear narrative and outline are reinforced throughout by diverse photographic and epistolary reproductions; together with strong graphics keep the viewer engaged. Very helpful too are the pronounced labels bannered to introduce terms, demonstrations of Jamesian points in addition to individual interviews and re-enactments. McDermott's stress on fundamental concepts makes this video a valuable educational tool for any student of Psychology as well as for one focusing on William James in particular. -Roberta A. Sheehan, Ph.D. "Scholar of the work and life of William James"
“William James: The Psychology of Possibility” packs substantive considerations of the great thinker’s work in psychology and his focus on experience. John J. McDermott, the preeminent James scholar of our time, leads the viewer not only through important concepts but also through the context in which those concepts arose within James himself. If this were not enough to make for edifying material, the film goes further, in true Jamesian fashion, to discuss and demonstrate the practical usefulness of those concepts—how they affect experience, attitudes, and behaviors.
His work in psychology permeates the many other disciplines in which James partook—philosophy, religious philosophy, even proto-sociology. But this film, goes further, rightly placing his psychology front-and-center, not only in the relation to his own work but to the history of psychology itself.
We should all look forward to the next natural step: a film focused up James’s philosophy of radical empiricism and pragmatism."
--D. Micah Hester, PhD President (2011-12), William James Society Co-author (with Rob Talisse) of On James: Philosophy as Vision (2004) Author of End-of-life Care and Pragmatic Decision Making: A Bioethical Perspective (2010)
William James, more than anyone else, was responsible for introducing the wide range of topics that now comprise the broad field of psychology. In his magnificent text, The Principles of Psychology, he explored and expanded what was then known about neuroscience, cognition, emotion, perception, and behavior and left a legacy of inquiry into the workings of human experience that still fuels this social science. This film presents some of James’s most important formulations, including his discussions of habit, consciousness, will, and religious experience with current live-action illustrations. Dr. McDermott's commentary reminds viewers that James's work also prods us to lead our own individual lives with courage, openess to possibilities and awareness to what James referred to as the "fringe" of experience. This fringe includes the hunches, un-expressible feelings, and haunting memories that influence our thoughts and actions. An interview with a young recovering alcoholic and an account of James’s own struggle with suicidal depression make this film an emotionally moving experience as well as an instructional one for students. Approximately 40 minutes, $250. Closed captioned.
