Present Philosophical Tendencies - Softcover

Perry, Ralph Barton

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1025518381 ISBN 13: 9781025518381

Publisher: Tradd Street Press, 2026

Synopsis

"Present Philosophical Tendencies" is a comprehensive and critical survey of the dominant intellectual currents that shaped the early 20th century. Written by Ralph Barton Perry, a leading figure in the American New Realism movement and a student of William James, this work provides an exhaustive analysis of the four major philosophical frameworks of its time: naturalism, idealism, pragmatism, and realism.

The text is renowned for its systematic approach to evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of contemporary thought. Perry begins by examining the origins and implications of naturalism and idealism, famously coining the term 'egocentric predicament' to describe the central problem of idealistic metaphysics. He then turns his attention to the pragmatic movement, offering a nuanced interpretation of its logical and ethical contributions. The final portion of the book serves as a robust defense of realism, arguing for the existence of an objective world independent of the perceiving consciousness.

Essential for students of the history of ideas, "Present Philosophical Tendencies" offers a clear-eyed look at the transition from 19th-century speculative philosophy to the more empirical and pluralistic approaches of the modern era. It remains a foundational text for understanding the development of American philosophical discourse and the internal debates that defined a generation of thinkers.

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Edition details

• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1025518381
• ISBN 13: 9781025518381
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 404