William James' legacy to Alcoholics Anonymous: an analysis and a critique.
Journal of addictive diseases January 1, 1992 A H Walle
The founders of Alcoholics Anonymous drew heavily on William James' 'Varieties of Religious Experience' when shaping the organization's philosophy and methods. Although AA selectively adopted certain of James' ideas that seemed especially pertinent, his influence is clearly evident in AA's core principles and approach. This article reviews James' work, identifies which specific ideas were most relevant to AA's development as a self-help movement, and considers the implications of this intellectual heritage.