Influences on Questyisms
References and remarks that influenced thoughts ....

From the ancient to the modern, many philsophers have influenced my thoughts. Modern philosophers such as William James and Oliver Wendell Holmes have given me much to think about. Below you will find some biographical material on these philosophers.

The American philosopher and psychologist William James had a remarkable variety of talents. Most notably he was a leader in the movement known as pragmatism, which stresses that the value of any idea or policy is based entirely on its usefulness and workability.James was born on January. 11, 1842, in New York City. Although William's first ambition was to be an artist, he entered Harvard Medical School in 1864. He was granted a degree in medicine in 1869, but by that time had decided that he would not practice medicine. James had also read widely in literature, history, and philosophy. He wrote literary criticism and became interested in psychology.

Outwardly a friendly, warm, and happy person, James was subject to periods of deep depression, partly because of constant ill health and partly because of his inability to find a suitable profession or philosophy. In 1870, however, he had an experience that gave him a sense of direction. He read Charles Renouvier's essays and gained a new insight into the power of free will as a moral force. James was appointed an instructor in physiology at Harvard in 1872. He later taught psychology and philosophy and became famous as one of the outstanding teachers of his time.

James believed that emotions are organic sensations aroused by bodily expression, that we feel sorry because we cry, and angry because we strike. William James's most important work, `The Principles of Psychology', was published in 1890. In this book, James advocated the new psychology that acknowledged a kinship with science as well as with philosophy. The book immediately became popular with laymen as well as with psychologists.

In the latter book,`Pragmatism' written in 1907, he expounded the theory that man knows the true meaning of an idea only when he sees what its effects are. In 1907 James taught his last course at Harvard. He died in Chocorua, N.H., on August 26, 1910.

Oliver Wendell Holmes born on Aug. 29, 1809, in Cambridge, Mass. He attended Harvard College, graduating in 1829. His fame as a writer began in 1830 with his poem 'Old Ironsides'. The popular sentiment aroused by this poem saved the frigate Constitution from destruction.

After he graduated from Harvard Holmes studied law, then medicine, in Boston and in Europe. He received an M.D. degree at Harvard in 1836. That same year he also published his 'Poems', which contained the amusing poem 'My Aunt' and the humorous-pathetic 'Last Leaf'. Holmes's verses became so popular that he has been called the poet laureate of Boston.

Until 1857 Holmes concentrated on teaching and on writing medical articles. In 1847 he was appointed anatomy professor at Harvard. From then until 1853 he also served as dean of the Harvard medical school.

In 1857 Holmes's career as a popular writer got fully under way. As a writer and lecturer Holmes was greatly loved for his wit, wisdom, and charm. Although he wrote several novels, two biographies, and a number of familiar poems, he is probably best known for a series of essays that first appeared in Atlantic Monthly. These were subsequently published in a series of volumes collectively referred to as the "Breakfast-Table" books. Holmes died on Oct. 7, 1894, in his home in Boston.

When I talk of Oliver Wendell Holmes many folks have heard the name, but may mistake him for his somewhat more famous son Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

One of the most famous justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., was known as "the great dissenter." He was called this because often when the court handed down a decision Holmes delivered a minority opinion, or dissent.

Justice Holmes believed the law should change to meet altering social conditions. He condemned child labor as uncivilized and upheld the right of strikers to form orderly picket lines. Holmes felt that even people whose beliefs might be considered dangerous were entitled to the protection of the law and that granted by the Constitution.

In retirement Holmes decided against writing a book, believing that his many opinions and dissents adequately reflected his views. He spent his time reading and enjoying nature. Holmes died on March 6, 1935, in Washington, D.C. He was buried with military honors in Arlington National Cemetery on what would have been his 94th birthday.