In an essay on “The Problem of Philosophy at the Present Time,” Professor Edward Caird says that “philosophy is not a first venture into a new field of thought, but the rethinking of a secular and religious consciousness which has been developed, in the main, independently of philosophy.”[vii:A] If there be any inspiration and originality in this book, they are due to my great desire that philosophy should appear in its vital relations to more familiar experiences. If philosophy is, as is ...

According to the Preface: "The purpose of the book will in part account for those shortcomings that immediately reveal themselves to the eye of the scholar. ... I have sought to introduce the general stand-point and problem of philosophy through its implication in practical life, poetry, religion, and science. But in so doing it has been necessary for me to deal shortly with topics of great independent importance, and so risk the disfavor of those better skilled in these several matters. T...

Published in 1905, The Approach to Philosophy was written by Princeton and Harvard educated American philosopher, Ralph Barton Perry

This file includes the complete text of "The Approach to Philosophy" by Ralph Barton Perry, "An Introduction to Philosophy" by George Stuart Fullerton, and "Initiation into Philosophy by Emile Faguet.

Volume 51 contains a total of 60 lectures covering 12 topics: History Poetry Natural Science Philosophy Biography Prose Fiction Criticism and the Essay Education Political Science Drama Voyages and Travels Religion