James and Bradley: American Truth and British Reality

James and Bradley: American Truth and British Reality by Sprigge, Timothy L S. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780812692273.

Despite their enduring importance, the theoretical systems of James and Bradley are often badly misunderstood. Professor Sprigge freshly expounds and clarifies their arguments, demonstrating that it is wrong to think of Jamess pragmatism and Bradleys monistic idealism as opposite extremes. Their positions in fact display an intriguing mixture of affinities and contrasts. Professor Sprigge begins with a critical account of the theory behind Jamess notorious claim that the true is nothing more than the expedient. He defends James against many unsound criticisms, but concludes that pragmatisms account of truth is incomplete. Jamess evolving metaphysical enquiries, from The Principles of Psychology through his later radical empiricist phase, his opposition to absolute idealism, and his religious motivation are all carefully elucidated. After outlining Bradleys metaphysical system, Sprigge scrutinizes Bradleys use of The Absolute, critically evaluates Russells criticisms of Bradley, compares Bradleys phenomenology with Husserls, and considers Bradleys view of the displacement of Christian morality by Darwinism.