Abstract

Brand Blanshard was the foremost 20th century proponent of philosophical rationalism in America. Although certain aspects of his work are again receiving attention, particularly his theory of truth, few philosophers of today are aware of either the systematic breadth or the critical depth of his philosophy. This relative neglect is surprising when one considers the importance his contemporaries attached to his work and the exceptional lucidity with which it is presented. ;This thesis has the primary purpose of establishing the importance of Blanshard's philosophy through exposition, explanation, and extension of its central positions: first, Blanshard's advocacy coherence as both the criterion and the nature of truth, and second, his adherence to a comprehensive doctrine of natural necessity with strongly deterministic implications. I argue there is a systematic unity to Blanshard's thought. Failure in recognizing this can result in misunderstanding and a too quick dismissal of his arguments. I also discuss how his philosophy is influenced by and connected with earlier philosophical traditions, especially those of 17th century rationalism and Roman Stoicism. ;Blanshard examines rival critical theories, but concludes that in each case one must ultimately resort to coherence as the test of truth. It also maintains that truth is correctly thought of in terms of degrees. I argue that Blanshard is right to maintain that coherence is both the criterion and nature of truth, provided that one considers absolute truth as an unrealizable ideal. I contend that Blanshard's views commit him to a version of fallibilism. ;Blanshard insists that necessity is not limited to 'logical necessities', but prevails throughout reality, in particular, in causal relationships. His faith in this position was not seriously shaken by the advent of quantum physics. In addition, he was able to preserve an interesting account of human freedom