Critique of Absolutism

Argues that the Absolute, as conceived by Hegel and other idealists, is a foreign, static, and abstract entity that de-realizes human experience, history, and suffering.

James critiques the absolute as a 'metaphysical monster' (Bradley) and argues that its logical proofs, like Lotze's, are merely verbal, failing to provide genuine understanding.

James argues that the absolute is not forced by logic and is an improbable hypothesis, raising the problem of evil and irrationality as key objections.