James on ‘the Will to Believe’

 
Instructions:
(a) Write a clear, concise introduction that identifies the issue you will consider and indicates what position you intend to defend and how you intend to proceed.
(b) Carefully explain the issue. Make clear any key notions, premises, and inferences.
(c) Argue for your position. If you are rejecting an argument for a controversial conclusion, make clear exactly what about the argument you reject—one of the premises or the inference from the premises to the conclusion—and why. Then state the best objection to your position that you can think of and reply to it. This may, but need not, be an objection in our text or one we considered in class discussion. If you are accepting some argument for a controversial position, proceed to state the best objection to your position that you can think of and reply to it. Again, this may but need not be an objection noted in our text or class discussion. Then proceed to respond to the objection. Make clear exactly what claim or inference you are rejecting and why.
Topic : James on ‘the Will to Believe’
Carefully and fully explain the central argument of William James’ essay, “The Will to Believe,” whose conclusion is stated on the bottom of p.11. Be sure to explain what James means by certain options being “forced,’ “living,” and “momentous.” Then state what you consider to be the best objection to the argument. Finally, state and discuss the best response to the objection, explaining why you think the argument ultimately succeeds or fails