This volume investigates the evolution of American philosophical thought by tracing the intellectual progression from the theological foundations of Jonathan Edwards to the pragmatism of John Dewey. Morton White, a distinguished philosopher and historian of ideas, curates a selection of primary source documents to illustrate the shift from religious metaphysics to secular, scientific inquiry. By contextualizing these writings, the author provides a framework for understanding how American thinkers grappled with the tension between traditional belief systems and the emerging demands of modern empirical philosophy.

Scholars and students of American intellectual history frequently cite this anthology as a foundational resource for accessing the primary texts of the American philosophical tradition. The collection is noted for its clear organization and the editorial precision with which White frames the historical trajectory of these influential thinkers.