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Work #1039 · Late

A Pluralistic Universe

William James
1909 (Hibbert Lectures at Manchester College, Oxford, May 1908) · English
Philosophical lecture series · American pragmatism / radical empiricism

The universe is plural, not monistic — James's mature constructive metaphysics against absolute idealism

Attribute Fingerprint

Rows where works disagree are highlighted in gold. The full ontology grid is shown.

Attribute A Pluralistic Universe (Late)
Time · Extent Infinite
Time · Ontological Status Substantival
Time · Grain Continuous
Time · Freedom Non-Deterministic
Time · Traversability Linear
Time · Dimensionality One
Time · Direction Uni-directional
Space · Extent Infinite
Space · Ontological Status Substantival
Space · Curvature Flat
Space · Dimensionality Three
Space · Locality Local
Matter · Extent Infinite
Matter · Ontological Status Substantival
Matter · Conservation Conserved
Matter · Dimensionality Three
Matter · Locality Local
Observer · Time Instance Single
Observer · Space Instance Single
Observer · Knowledge Extent Partial
Observer · Knowledge Retainment Partial
Observer · Physicality Embodied
Observer · Agency Both
Observer · Number Plural
Observer · Metaphysical Agency Personal
Observer · Moral Authority Experience
Observer · Theological Method
Energy · Extent Infinite
Energy · Ontological Status Substantival
Energy · Conservation Variable
Energy · Dispersibility Irreversible
Information · Ontological Status Substantival
Information · Cosmic Conservation Variable
Information · Personal Conservation Conserved
Information · Granularity Continuous

Dimension-by-Dimension Evidence

What each work's passages reveal about its stance on each of the six dimensions.

Time

A Pluralistic Universe

Continuous becoming of experience; unfinished future.

Space

A Pluralistic Universe

Plural overlapping spaces of experience.

Matter

A Pluralistic Universe

Manifold material world, not reducible to single absolute.

Observer

A Pluralistic Universe

Plural finite observers; finite God.

Energy

A Pluralistic Universe

Overlapping experiences and partly-connected processes.

Information

A Pluralistic Universe

Plural perspectives and partial connections.

Internal Tensions

Where each work's argument pulls against itself.

A Pluralistic Universe

James's "finite God" provoked theological controversy. Bergson-James relationship is a major subject of philosophical study.