'Some Problems of Philosophy ' Summary

Throughout his life, William James had the ambition to write a book presenting his philosophy in systematic form. He alluded to this goal repeatedly in his published books of philosophy, particularly the "Varieties of Religious Experience." But, as was the "Varieties", James other philosophical works such as "Pragmatism" and "A Pluralistic Universe" consisted of lectures while "The Meaning of Truth" consisted of a collection of essays, most of which had earlier been published separately.

Late in his life, James tried to realize his project of giving an exposition of his philosophy in his final book, "Some Problems of Philosophy" which is aptly subtitled "A Beginning of an Introduction to Philosophy". James began writing this book in 1909, but illness slowed and ultimately stopped his work well before it could be completed. Before his death in 1911, James authorized the publication of what he had written with the note: "Say that I hoped by it to round out my system, which now is too much like an arch built only on one side."

The book James left is a mixture, with some sections that are suitable for a beginner in philosophy and with other sections that are highly technical. The book is of interest because James clearly wanted to integrate the two primary philosophical ideas developed in his earlier works: pragmatism and radical empiricism.