Creation of Chaos

Frederick J. Ruf is Assistant Professor in the Theology Department at Georgetown University.

"This book manages to be original in two ways at once: it is both a rhetorical reading of James (much needed and well done) and a reflection on chaos as a religious symbol. The latter aspect draws from a variety of sources which makes for fascinating reading. This double focus allows the author to discuss James' style from a specific perspective, namely chaos, which gives the book unity and enables much insight. This double perspective also allows for a double reading of the two texts which this book examines, The Principles and The Varieties. In sum, James is located not in any specific tradition (say, American pragmatism) but rather is put into conversation with a whole range of people who wrote about chaos." — Stephen Webb, Wabash College

• Abbreviations Acknowledgments Introduction William James, Stylist 1."The Malestrom": The Chaotic in The Principles of Psychology, Part 1 IntroductionJames and Chaos: The Critical ViewThe Chaotic: "Chaosmos"The Tempestuous World: Roots of the Chaotic in James's Crisis Years, 1867-18722. "A Mind So Purely Fluid": The Chaotic in The Principles of Psychology, Part 2 External Chaos: The PlenumA Circumscription of the ChaoticInternal Chaos: The StreamContinuityChangePersonalityInterestObjectsThe Relationship of Inner to Outer ChaosThe Neural StreamThe Function of Chaos: "Old Fogeyism"3. "The Floods and Waterspouts of God": The Chaotic in The Varieties of Religious Experience IntroductionBiographical ContextThe Chaotic in the Varieties of Religious ExperienceReligion and the Chaotic4. "Meanderings, Zigzags, and Circles":Creating Chaos in The Principles of Psychology IntroductionThe Constructive Role of FormGenre RealismThe Constructivist View of NarrativeThe Form of the Principles of PsychologyJames's "Rhetoric"Formal EclecticismInteractions of Forms in the PrinciplesMultiple VoicesDomesticated Chaos: Image StreamsReorientationChaos Out of Cosmos5. "Instruction from the Living Voice":Creating Chaos in The Varieties of Religious Experience IntroductionGenetic MultiplicityMultiplicity of VoicesDisruptive Disorientation6. Conclusion, "Fronting Life": The Chaotic and Religious Orientation Orientation: Scope, Authority, and BenefitChaotic OrientationThe Chaotic and Disorientation"Ordinariness": The Rhetoric of Religious SymbolsNotes Select Bibliography Index