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Pragmatism and idealism
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Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #72074.
About this book
William Caldwell’s Pragmatism and Idealism is a scholarly survey of early‑twentieth‑century philosophical currents, aimed at readers already familiar with the basic outlines of pragmatism. The work opens with a candid author’s note that frames the book as a “general conspectus” of the movement, acknowledging both its American roots in James, Dewey and Schiller and its entanglements with Anglo‑Hegelian rationalism, Neo‑Kantianism, and the ideas of Bergson. From the outset Caldwell promises a cautious, footnoted discussion that situates pragmatism as a “real tendency of the civilized world of today,” while also admitting the inevitable gaps and misplacements that resulted from his trans‑Atlantic publishing journey. The detailed table of contents and the introductory chapter outline a methodical exploration of pragmatism’s claims, its view of truth as a working valuation, its relationship to human activity, and its intersections with idealism, providing a clear roadmap for the reader.
The prose is formal and densely argumentative, reflecting the academic tone of a 1913 philosophical treatise. Caldwell’s style blends exhaustive citation with a personal, almost apologetic voice, as he frequently references contemporary scholars and his own intellectual debts. Readers who enjoy rigorous historical analysis of philosophical doctrines, especially those interested in the dialogue between American pragmatism and European idealism, will find this book rewarding. It appeals particularly to graduate students, historians of philosophy, and anyone seeking a period‑specific perspective on the debates that shaped modern thought.
Who appears in Pragmatism and idealism
- JamesMiddle‑aged American scholar, dark hair, sideburns, round spectacles, tweed jacket, solemn expression
- DeweyLate‑forties American professor, clean‑shaven, light‑colored hair, waistcoat, pocket watch, thoughtful gaze
- BergsonElderly French philosopher, white beard, bald head, high‑collared coat, contemplative stare
The opening · free to read
In the opening chapter and elsewhere, both in the text and in the footnotes, I have put together some things about the development and the affiliations of Pragmatism, and of pragmatist tendencies, that may not be altogether new to the professional student. Such a presentation, or general conspectus, I have found to be a necessity in the way of a basis both for discussion and for rational comprehension. Taken along with the original pronouncements of James and his confrères it affords an indication of the philosophy to which the pragmatists would fain attain, and of the modification of rationalistic philosophy they would fain effect.
The chapter upon Pragmatism as Americanism is put forth in the most tentative spirit possible, and I have thought more than once of withholding it. Something in this connexion, however, is, in my opinion, needed to cause us to regard the pragmatist philosophy as resting upon a very real tendency of the civilized world of to-day--a tendency that is affecting us all whether we like it or not.
The chapter upon Pragmatism and Anglo-Hegelian Rationalism is also offered with some degree of reservation and misgiving, for, like many of my contemporaries, I owe nearly everything in the way of my introduction to philosophy to the great Neo-Kantian and Neo-Hegelian movement. In its place, I had some months ago a more general chapter upon Pragmatism and Rationalism, containing the results of material that I had been elaborating upon the development of English Neo-Hegelianism. At the last moment I substituted what is here offered upon the significant high-water output of Hegelianism represented in Dr. Bosanquet’s Edinburgh Gifford Lectures.
In regard to the note upon the Pragmatist elements in the philosophy of Bergson I ought, perhaps, to say that I kept away from Bergson’s last two books until I had written out what had been growing up in my own mind about the activism of Pragmatism and its relations to Idealism. I have found confirmation for much of my own thought in the teaching of this remarkable and significant thinker, and I regret the partial representation of it that is here submitted.
Having crossed the ocean for the printing of my book, I have in some cases lost or misplaced references that I intended to use or to verify. For this I crave the indulgence of readers and critics.
I am indebted to the following gentlemen for much kind help and criticism in the revision of my manuscript and proof-sheets for the press: my brother, the Rev. Victor Caldwell, M.A., of Patna, Ayrshire; Professor John Laird of Queen’s University, Belfast; Professor James Seth of the University of Edinburgh; Professor P. T. Lafleur of M’Gill University. I also owe much in this same connexion to recent conversations with Professors A. Lalande and D. Parodi of Paris, upon Pragmatism and contemporary philosophy generally.
LONDON, September 1913.
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