Wonder and Hope
If you have ever walked across the Brooklyn Bridge as I have, you know how much of a feat of engineering it was for its time. It is huge, it is historic, and it is a monument to people working together to create something that would outlast them. But as John Kaag points out in the final chapter of Sick Souls, Healthy Minds, it is also a place where many have lost hope.
Kaag references a sign on the bridge that says, "Life is Worth Living." For most, it seems like a feel good, inspirational sign. But for a "sick soul," the kind of person William James spent his life trying to help, that sign can feel like a lie. The mere fact that the sign needs to be there in the first place indicates that not all find inherent worth in life. In this chapter, we see how James moves on from that dark place to a philosophy of "Wonder and Hope," as the chapter is titled. He even answers the question of if life is in fact worth living. He does not do it with fake positivity, he does it with a very honest, very messy "maybe."
The Power of "Maybe"
One of the most famous things William James is credited with saying is that the question of whether life is worth living depends on the liver. He did not try to prove that life is 100% perfect. Instead, he offered this lifeline: "maybe."
This is actually very key. As Kaag looked at the empty walkways on the bridge and thought about those who had jumped in despair, we must admit that for some, life simply does not feel worth it. James does not ignore that pain. He recognizes that dark thoughts are part of being human and that our choices are often shaped by how hard our lives are. But the "maybe" gives us a choice. If life's worth is not a proven fact, then we are the ones who get to decide the answer. We tip the scales by choosing to stay and try another day.
Learning What to Overlook
If life's worth is a maybe, how do we make it a yes? James says it is all about where we put our attention. He tells us that we have to learn what to overlook. This is not about sticking your head in the sand when times are tough, or ignoring injustice in the world; it's about making a pragmatic choice. If you spend all day focusing on every tragedy, you will never get out of bed. But if you look for the possibilities beyond that despair, you can find a reason to move forward.
James really connected with the ideas of Ralph Waldo Emerson, who said life is an "ongoing experiment" and a "series of circles." We are not stuck in one place. We are constantly expanding. Even small, boring moments can be important if they help us see a pattern in our lives. Finding truth is not about reaching a finish line, but how you engage with the world every day.
Finding Wonder in the Unseen Order
As James grew older, he started looking at the spiritual side of things. He proposed that there might be an "unseen order," a layer of reality that we cannot see but can still feel. He was not looking for a traditional religion, he was simply curious. He looked at psychical research and mediums because he wanted to see if there was more to life than just the physical world we interact with.
By embracing wonder, James found a way to connect to something larger than himself. He found this clarity in nature, and in the poetry of Walt Whitman. He describes life as having a rhythm, like the ebb and flow of tides. This is a great metaphor because even when the tide is out and you feel empty, you know that the water is eventually coming back. Hope is not about being happy all the time, it is about trusting the rhythm of the cycles.
Defending the View
A critic would say that James is using magical thinking. They would argue that you cannot just believe something into being true because it makes you feel better. They would saying overlooking your challenges is just lying to yourself and remaining ignorant.
I think James would say that human meaning is different from scientific facts. You cannot believe your way out of gravity, but you can believe your way into courage. For example, a bridge like the Brooklyn Bridge does not exist unless someone first believes it can be built and then works hard to make it a reality. In the same way, if we believe life might be worth living, we do the work that eventually makes it true. Struggle is going to happen regardless. But how we look at that struggle, as a dead end or a circle we are growing through, is up to us.
Reflecting
Is the maybe enough to keep you going? For some, "maybe" sounds too weak. But I think it is actually the strongest answer because it is the most honest one. A fake "yes" feels like someone is lying to you when you're down. A "maybe" acknowledges your pain but leaves the door open for hope.
Does the idea of an unseen order make life easier? For some it does because it makes them feel less alone. If we are part of a larger cycle, like the tides or the history of the bridge, then our individual pain is not the whole story. We are part of something that outlasts us.
The Chance to Experience
In the end, Kaag's journey through "Wonder and Hope" leads us to gratitude. As the sun sets on the bridge, we are not looking for final proof that life is perfect. We are just grateful for the chance to experience it all.
James' ultimate message is that life is a mix of big struggles and even bigger possibilities. Being able to witness both is what makes the journey worth it. The "maybe" is not a doubt. It is an opportunity to create our own meaning.
"an opportunity to create our own meaning" - Yes. "Maybe" means there are possibilities unique to each of us, that depend on us to be actualized.
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