A Pluralistic Universe · Chapter
Endnotes explained
This chapter compiles the endnotes for the book, providing citations, references, and supplementary commentary on the main text.
What happens
This chapter compiles the endnotes for the book, providing citations, references, and supplementary commentary on the main text. It includes notes on philosophical works by Bailey, Hegel, Fechner, Bradley, Royce, Bergson, and others, as well as discussions on pluralism, monism, intellectualism, and the nature of consciousness.
Themes in this chapter
Pluralism vs. Monism
Endnotes discuss the difference between absolutist (monist) and pluralist views on the finite and evil.
The Limits of Conceptual Thought
Bergson's critique of concepts and their practical versus theoretical use is explored in the notes.
Temperament in Philosophy
The note on Bergson's philosophy highlights a shift in practical attitude, reflecting philosophical temperament.
Characters to notice
- Gustav Theodor Fechner
Referenced in endnotes for his works 'Über die Seelenfrage' and 'Die Tagesansicht gegenüber der Nachtansicht'.
- Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
Cited multiple times, including references to 'Smaller Logic' and 'Wissenschaft der Logik'.
- F. H. Bradley
Mentioned in a controversy with James and in references to 'Appearance and Reality'.
- Josiah Royce
Referenced for 'The World and the Individual' and 'The Spirit of Modern Philosophy'.
- Henri Bergson
Discussed in relation to concepts and perception, with a note on his philosophy.
- William Wallace
Quoted for his translation of Hegel's 'Logic' and his 'Lectures and Essays'.
- Harold Joachim
Referenced for 'The Nature of Truth'.
- Andrew Seth Pringle-Pattison
Mentioned in a note about criticism of Bradley's views.
Key passages
“The difference is that the bad parts of this finite are eternal and essential for absolutists, whereas pluralists may hope that they will eventually get sloughed off and become as if they had not been.”
Absolutists view the negative aspects of the finite as permanent and necessary, while pluralists believe they can be eliminated over time.
This note contrasts absolutist and pluralist perspectives on the nature of evil and finitude.
“In using concepts of his own to discredit the theoretic claims of concepts generally, Bergson does not contradict, but on the contrary emphatically illustrates his own view of their practical role, for they serve in his hands only to 'orient' us, to show us to what quarter we must practically turn if we wish to gain that completer insight into reality which he denies that they can give.”
Bergson's use of concepts to criticize conceptual thinking is consistent because he uses them only to guide us toward a practical, perceptual understanding of reality.
This paraphrase explains Bergson's method of using concepts pragmatically to direct attention to immediate experience.