19. William James was prominent in both philosophy and psychology, much of which research and writing came from his battle with depression
William James (1842-1910) was a philosopher and psychologist, and one of the first people to study religious experiences and visions from a scientific perspective. As well as conducting pioneering research in psychology – James created the first demonstrational laboratory in the US – he also tried to find an empirical basis for the existence of God, the afterlife, and the immortality of the soul. Though his psychology (though innovative) is now dated, James’s change of career to philosophy, with a focus on pragmatism, anticipated many later trends on the topic and still has many admirers in the discipline of philosophy.
James, however, suffered from depression from a young age. He spent the first three years after receiving his MD battling depression and ill health at home. This came from a ‘crisis of meaning’, as James struggled to reconcile his scientific learning with his religious faith. Ceasing to see a purpose to life and doubting the existence of God, James began to suffer from hallucinations and panic attacks, like his father before him. It seems that James’s hereditary mental health issues were inflamed by this crisis, but his methodical attempts to reconcile science and religion led to his most important work.
