Erudite and eloquent, John William Miller's writing engages readers with his earthy treatment of basic philosophical questions. Designed as an introduction to a compelling historicist philosophy, this volume presents Miller's best and most representative essays in a single, authoritative edition. Miller (1895-1978) taught at Williams College, and he is well known for his extraordinary teaching (described inA new chapter in American thought devoted to the authority of critique and the defense of democracy.