problems of philosophy. In such a division into types, lines are of necessity drawn too sharply. There will be many historical philosophies that refuse to fit, and many possibilities unprovided for. I must leave it to the individual reader to overcome this abstractness through his own reflection upon the intermediate and variant standpoints. Although the order is on the whole that of progressive complexity, I have sought to treat each chapter with independence enough to make it possible for it to be read separately; and I have provided a carefully selected bibliography in the hope that this book may serve as a stimulus and guide to the reading of other books. The earlier chapters have already appeared as articles: Chapter I in the International Journal of Ethics, Vol. XIII, No. 4; Chapter II in the Philosophical Review, Vol. XI, No. 6; Chapter III in the Monist, Vol. XIV, No. 5; Chapter IV in the International Journal of Ethics, Vol. XV, No. 1; and some paragraphs of Chapter V in the Journal of Philosophy, Psychology, and Scientific Methods, Vol. I, No. 7. I am indebted to the editors of these periodicals for permission to reprint with minor changes. In the writing of this, my first book, I have been often reminded that a higher critic, skilled in the study of internal evidence, could probably trace all of its ideas to suggestions that have come to me from my teachers and colleagues of the Department of Philosophy in Harvard University. I have unscrupulously forgotten what of their definite ideas I have adapted to my own use, but not that I received from them the major portion of my original philosophical capital. I am especially indebted to Professor William James for the inspiration and resources which I have received from his instruction and personal friendship. RALPH BARTON PERRY. CAMBRIDGE, March, 1905. TABLE OF CONTENTS APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM OF PHILOSOPHY § 1. Is Philosophy a Merely Academic Interest?.... § 2. Life as a Starting-point for Thought.. § 3. The Practical Knowledge of Means.. § 4. The Practical Knowledge of the End or Purpose. § 5. The Philosophy of the Devotee, the Man of Af- PAGE PACE CHAPTER III. THE RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. ..... 15. The Possibility of Defining Religion.. § 16. The Profitableness of Defining Religion.... § 19. Religion as Belief in a Disposition or Attitude. § 20. Religion as Belief in the Disposition of the Re- § 30. Religion Means to be Practically True. God is a Disposition from which Consequences May PAGE |