John William Miller
Personal Information
Description
John William Miller (1895–1978) was an American philosopher in the idealist tradition. His work appears in six published volumes, including The Paradox of Cause (1978) and most recently The Task of Criticism (2006). His principal philosophical ambitions were 1) to reconcile the idealism of Josiah Royce and the pragmatism of William James and 2) to integrate philosophical thought and historical thought. As testimony to the integrative nature of his thinking, Miller referred to his philosophy as a "historical idealism” and a “naturalistic idealism.” -Wikipedia
Books
The philosophy of history
The paradox of cause and other essays
"These essays, deceptively modest in phrasing, address current and historic issues. They speak to anyone who has been baffled by the old conflict between personal freedom and casual order. More widely, they examine the role of action in the projection of any general order, including the physical."--Inside jacket.
The task of criticism
"Here is a new chapter in American thought, devoted to the authority of critique and the defense of democracy. Erudite and eloquent, John William Miller's writing engages readers by means of its (as he said) "earthy" treatment of basic philosophical questions. Challenging the dogmatism and nihilism that mark so much of recent philosophy, Miller advocates a thoughtful and engaged approach to life - one that revitalizes philosophical activity, embraces history, and joins reflection with participation in a democratic community." "The Task of Criticism is a survey of Miller's historicist philosophy. The editors have selected and written insightful introductions for 29 of Miller's best and most representative essays. A comprehensive introduction to the volume places Miller's thought in context and exhibits the contemporary relevance of his philosophy."--BOOK JACKET.