Democratic temperament

the long version

This book draws out the politics of a philosopher who is rarely seen as political. James's vision of truth is remarkably similar to that of some post-modernists. James believed that there is a truth, but we could never be sure what it is. Therefore, we live our lives in accord with ideals that we hope are true. We cannot know. This doesn't mean that every truth is good; surely, that can't be right. James does take a stance against absolutism, and therefore against imperialism.