Journal |
JoLMA
Journal issue | 6 | 2 | 2025
Research Article | Rethinking the Double Law of Habit: James’ Case
Abstract
In this paper I suggest to rethink the traditional double law of habit as a theoretical development of the co-presence of activity and passivity inherent to the concept of habit. My thesis is twofold: firstly, I will argue that speaking in terms of the double nature of habit is conceptually different from speaking in terms of the double law of habit because recognition of the former does not necessarily entail endorsement of the latter. Secondly, I will argue that the traditional formulation of the double law brings the risk of the dualism between activity and passivity of action, and the dualism between habit and will. In particular, I will look at James’ Principles of Psychology as a relevant example: I will argue that James conceptualizes the double nature of habit through the notion of plasticity without formulating the double law of habit as developed by his predecessors.
Submitted: Feb. 12, 2025 | Accepted: April 4, 2025 | Published June 20, 2025 | Language: en
Keywords Habit • William James • Joseph Butler • Habituation • Double law of habit
Copyright © 2025 Alice Morelli. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/Jolma/2723-9640/2025/01/005