Introduction to American “New Realism” Philosophy

This book explores the philosophical movement of New Realism, which emerged in the early 20th century as a reaction against idealism and subjectivism, and which sought to reassert the objective existence of reality and the directness of perception. Central figures of New Realism—such as Ralph Barton Perry, Edwin B. Holt, William Pepperell Montague, and Edward Gleason Spaulding—contributed to a systematic philosophical framework that defended the possibility of knowing the world as it truly is, without reliance on mental intermediaries or representations. The book delves into New Realism's impact on key areas of philosophy, including metaphysics, epistemology, the philosophy of mind, and the philosophy of science. In metaphysics, New Realism's defense of the mind-independent world, the reality of universals, and the causal structure of nature continues to influence contemporary debates about the nature of objects, properties, and causality. In epistemology, the movement's defense of direct realism and rejection of skepticism laid the groundwork for foundationalism and externalist theories of knowledge. In the philosophy of mind, New Realism's focus on the directness of perception and its naturalistic approach to consciousness have influenced contemporary discussions about mental representation, perception, and embodied cognition. Similarly, in the philosophy of science, New Realism's defense of scientific realism and its commitment to the objective nature of theoretical entities have shaped debates about the role of causality and the nature of scientific explanation. Throughout the book, the ongoing relevance of New Realism is examined in light of challenges from cognitive science, anti-realist philosophies, and contemporary developments in metaphysical naturalism. While New Realism has evolved in response to these challenges, its core principles remain influential in modern philosophy. By aligning philosophical inquiry with scientific practice, and by defending the objective nature of reality and perception, New Realism continues to provide a valuable framework for understanding the world and our place within it.