Josiah Royce is the chief American exponent of absolute idealism--or, indeed, of any type of idealism. He was a younger colleague of William James at Harvard; each of these great thinkers profoundly influenced the other, both positively and negatively, and is apt to be misunderstood if this mutual influence is not realized. Royce's work covers all fields of philosophy, but he is most important for his metaphysical system, his ethical theory, and his philosophical interpretation of Christianity. He was also the main figure who introduced the use of modern mathematics and logic as philosophical tools into American philosophy. His metaphysical system is developed quite independently of any standard religious affiliation, but its notable features include his unique proof of the existence of God, or the Absolute; his treatment of the problem of evil; and his theory of time, including the relationship of God to temporal events. His early...