"Croce's book is a lively and nuanced contextualization of William James, the decline of certainty, and the rise of probabilistic thinking that will be of great interest to readers in a variety of disciplines."

-George Cotkin, author of William James, Public Philosopher

"Croce's perceptive and subtle exploration of William James's intellectual coming of age deepens our understanding not only of James but also of his intellectual circle and indeed of the post-Darwinian universe of ideas. A beautifully crafted and richly rewarding book."

-Paul Boyer. University of Wisconsin

In this cultural biography, Paul Croce investigates the contexts surround- ing the early intellectual development of American philosopher William James (1842-1910). Croce places the young James at the center of key sci- entific and religious debates in American intellectual life between the 1820s and 18708.

Early in the nineteenth century, most Americans maintained their scientific and religious beliefs with certainty, Well before the end of the century, however, science and religion had parted company, and, despite the endurance of religious convictions and widespread confidence in sci- ence, professionals in both fields expressed belief in terms of hypotheses and probabilities rather than absolutes. Croce highlights the essential is sues debated during this shift by investigating the education of James and the circle of intellectuals of which he was part. In particular, the implicit probabilism of Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection, especially as interpreted by Charles Sanders Peirce's recognition of the fallibility of knowledge, set the stage for James's reconstruction of belief based on

uncertainty. Croce is writing a second volume dealing with the intellectual develop- ment of the mature William James.

Paul Jerome Croce is assistant professor of American studies at Stetson University.