The argument from contingency: The metaphysical approaches of Bradley and Royce in comparison with the analytic approach

The problem which this thesis will examine is the dispute between absolute idealists and analytic philosophers as to the nature and source of necessary predication. The absolute idealists will be represented by F. H. Bradley and Josiah Royce, and the analytic philosopher examined will be Ludwig Wittgenstein. The absolute idealists are of the opinion that experience is the source of truth. Wittgenstein holds that the truth of propositions emerges from the shared use of a language game. The procedure used will be the subjection of competing views to reductio ad absurdum argumentation. The results reached is that the notion of the absolute presented by Royce is superior to both Bradley's notion and Wittgenstein's analytic approach. The conclusion is that pragmatic theories of truth are self contradictory. Even though the approach of Royce has the consequence that absolute truth will never be reached, it has the advantage of placing the pursuit of truth on a firm footing.