Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • Ralph Barton Perry: An American philosopher active in the first half of the 20th century. He is best known as a leading proponent of the philosophical school known as "New Realism" and for his work in value theory, particularly his writings on moral philosophy.

Usage Notes

• This term refers specifically to the historical individual, Ralph Barton Perry. It is used in academic and historical contexts when discussing American philosophy, the New Realist movement, or the development of ethical theory.
• As a proper noun, it is always capitalized.

Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The essay analyzed the contributions of Ralph Barton Perry to American pragmatism.
  • Ralph Barton Perry taught philosophy at Harvard University for many years.
  • In his book, he cites Ralph Barton Perry's concept of "value as any object of any interest."

Advanced Usage

• "Perry's New Realism": Refers to his philosophical stance which reacted against idealism, asserting that objects exist independently of being perceived.

  • The debate centered on the tenets of Perry's New Realism.

• "Perry's moral theory": Denotes his work in ethics, where he defined value in relation to interests.

  • The lecture contrasted Perry's moral theory with more traditional deontological approaches.

Variants and Related Words

• New Realism (n): The philosophical movement with which Perry was closely associated.
• Value theory (n): A branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of value, a primary area of Perry's scholarship.

Synonyms

• Philosopher Perry: A formal synonym specifying his profession.
• R. B. Perry: A common abbreviated form used in citations and academic writing.

Related Phrases

• "general theory of value": Often associated with Perry due to his influential book of that title.
  • Perry's "General Theory of Value" remains a significant text.

Biographical Context

• Lifespan: (1876-1957)
• Affiliation: Harvard University
• Key Work: (1926)
• Philosophical School: New Realism

Noun

1. United States philosopher (1876-1957)