The Nature of Mind: the Legacy of William James

WILLIAM JAMES (1842-1910) was the greatest American thinker of his generation, whose contributions spanned philosophy, religion, psychology and psychical research. His approach of radical empiricism meant that the boundaries of his thought were far wider than many of his contemporaries and he was an early critic of what he called ‘medical materialism.’ He regarded psychical research as a valid branch of psychology and his Ingersoll Lectures on Immortality pose questions as yet unresolved over a century later. James was President of the SPR and a founder of the American SPR. This evening’s dialogue celebrating the centenary of his death will review his achievements and consider the ways in which his legacy and influence live on in our time.

A joint event with the Scientific and Medical Network.

WILLIAM JAMES (1842-1910) was the greatest American thinker of his generation, whose contributions spanned philosophy, religion, psychology and psychical research. His approach of radical empiricism meant that the boundaries of his thought were far wider than many of his contemporaries and he was an early critic of what he called ‘medical materialism.’ He regarded psychical research as a valid branch of psychology and his Ingersoll Lectures on Immortality pose questions as yet unresolved over a century later. James was President of the SPR and a founder of the American SPR. This evening’s dialogue celebrating the centenary of his death will review his achievements and consider the ways in which his legacy and influence live on in our time.

Speakers:

CHRIS BRATCHER has been a member of the Society for Psychical Research for forty years, and is on its Council. Postgraduate engagement with problems in the philosophy of mind took him to the evidence for psychic phenomena. He has a particular interest in the spontaneous and séance phenomena that engaged William James and brought the Society into being. He has lectured widely on this and associated philosophical topics.

DAVID LORIMER is Programme Director of the Scientific and Medical Network, and author and editor of a dozen books, including Survival? Body, Mind and Death in the Light of Psychic Experience, Whole in One - The Near-Death Experience and the Ethic of Interconnectedness, The Spirit of Science and Thinking Beyond the Brain.

Chair: DR. PETER FENWICK President of the Scientific & Medical Network

Note this is a joint lecture between the SPR and SMN.  Tickets cost £12 for members if pre-booked and £15 for non-members or at the door.

When
7th February, 2011 from  7:00 PM to  9:00 PM
Location
Lecture Hall of the Kensington Central Library
Campden Hill Road
Kensington
London
London
W8 7RX
United Kingdom
Contact
Office Phone: 020 7937 8984