William James: 'This life is worth living, we can say, since it is what we make it.'

This life is worth living, we can say, since it is what we make it.

'This life is worth living, we can say, since it is what we make it.' These powerful words by the renowned philosopher William James exude an underlying message of personal responsibility and empowerment. In a straightforward sense, this quote suggests that the worthiness of our existence lies in our hands. It implies that our perspective, actions, and choices shape the quality and fulfillment we experience in life. This notion highlights the significance of our own agency and the transformative potential inherent within us.However, when we delve deeper into this quote, we find ourselves encountering an unexpected yet intriguing philosophical concept: existentialism. Rooted in the belief that individuals have ultimate responsibility for their own lives, existentialism emphasizes the importance of self-determination and the creation of meaning. By exploring the parallels between James' quote and existentialism, we can gain a richer understanding of how we shape our lives.Existentialism, as a philosophical perspective, revolves around the idea that existence precedes essence. In other words, before we can define our purpose or meaning in life, we must first exist. This concept resonates with James' quote as it asserts that our lives are worth living precisely because we have the capacity to shape them. Existentialism asserts that we do not enter this world with preordained meaning but rather craft it through our choices and actions. This aligns with James' notion that our lives are what we make of them.Furthermore, both James' quote and existentialism convey the idea that personal responsibility is crucial in finding fulfillment. They emphasize that we cannot blame external circumstances or rely solely on external factors for our happiness and well-being. Instead, our attitude, perspective, and choices play a pivotal role in determining the worthiness and satisfaction of our existence. Both perspectives encourage us to take ownership of our lives, recognizing the power we have to shape our realities.However, it is important to note a subtle difference between James' quote and existentialism. While James suggests that our life is worth living because we have the ability to shape it, existentialism goes a step further by posing the question of freedom and the burden it carries. Existential thinkers argue that with the freedom to create meaning comes the responsibility to confront the inherent anxiety and uncertainty that it entails. They believe that true fulfillment requires embracing this existential angst and consciously making choices in the face of it. In contrast, James' quote may be interpreted as a call to focus on the positive aspects of our agency without explicitly acknowledging the existential challenges it may entail.In conclusion, William James' quote, 'This life is worth living, we can say, since it is what we make it,' encapsulates the essence of personal responsibility and the power of our agency. It encourages us to recognize that our lives gain worth and meaning through our choices, actions, and perspectives. This aligns with existentialism, a philosophical perspective that emphasizes the importance of self-determination and the creation of meaning. However, while James' quote focuses on the transformative potential of our agency, existentialism delves deeper into the existential challenges and burdens that come with it. Ultimately, both perspectives share the fundamental belief that our lives are indeed worth living because of our capacity to shape them, embracing the freedom and responsibility that comes with it.