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The opening address is by Max Otto on the Distinctive Philosophy of James. It is said that James broke with philosophic tradition and preferred the biological (James was a physician) approach to the rationalistic approach and felt that the senses, creative imagination, the feelings might be authentic avenues to truth. He had a catholicity of interest in human experience. He was pluralistic and rejected all metaphysical closed systems. He felt that he and Royce were opposite magnetic poles. He felt one should act to bring about the very largest total universe of good that one could see. There was desire to change the world. Environment had the function of providing the circumstances which favored the survival of geniuses when they appear.
Dickinson Miller writes on James as Man and Philosopher. He calls attention to James impulse to make the most of all things—all talents, all hands, all temperaments. He was critical of the lofty assumptions of medical science in particular. “Make the most of all that enhances life.” He had a gracious mind. Miller is correct in rejecting what have been called “morbid traits” in James' youth. To have conflicts and problems is human How and whether one finally resolves them is the sign of health or morbidity. Everything in James speaks for health. His attitude toward the world was to leave the door open for new ideas and fresh perceptions.
Norman Cameron writes on James and Psychoanalysis. There is very