William James

William James was an American philosopher who explored how we understand knowledge (epistemology) and emphasized the importance of personal experience. In the philosophy of religion, he argued that faith can be justified by practical consequences. Regarding free will, he supported the idea that individuals have genuine choices, opposing strict determinism. His process philosophy highlighted that reality is ever-changing and dynamic, rather than static. In terms of personal identity, he believed that our sense of self evolves over time, shaped by experiences, thoughts, and actions, making identity a continuous process rather than a fixed state.