We Agnostics: How William James, Father of American Psychology, Advanced A Spiritual Solution to Addiction: How a Venerated Harvard Doctor Inspired the 12 Step Movement

Bill Wilson was a washed up Wall Street analyst after the Great Crash of 1929 who was dying of alcoholism and decided to clean up. He read “Varieties off Religious Experience” by eminent Harvard Professor William James (whose own brother had died of alcoholism). The rest, as they say, is history and the result was what Aldous Huxley called the most Important social movement of the 20th century. This book weaves together brief excerpts from James’ book (which had radical ideas about spirituality being an end to itself and mostly separate from religion) with the writings of Bill Wilson to show how the two men’s thinking interacted to create the 12 Step movement. It sheds light on the profound influence James had on early 20th Century Agnosticism. It is solid analysis of James’ important contribution to American Spiritualism. Most of all, though, it is a reflection on the 12 Steps of AA & a meditation on what ‘Higher Power’ means. It is a soothing hot soak in the great writing of two men who developed a way out of the soul sickness that is addiction. They both saw spirituality as separate from religion which arises from the basic human need for some private higher power during moments of self-despair. The relief that comes makes life larger, allows us (finally) to belong and offers dignity — for alcoholics or those who live with alcoholics. It works. It really does. Read a sentence or a page per day. This book is a journey of reflection and meditation.