A critical account of Broad's estimate of McTaggart

Abstract

Broad’s critique of McTaggart’s philosophical system involves a rigorous deconstruction of its deductive methodology and ontological foundations. While the rejection of the “Dissimilarity of the Diverse” and the principle of “Determining Correspondence” challenges the internal coherence of the system, the fundamental pillars regarding the substantiality of the self and the unreality of time remain resilient. Broad’s attempt to substitute the traditional category of substance with a theory of “process” or “absolute becoming” fails to provide an intelligible metaphysical alternative to the persistent identity of the continuant. Furthermore, the defense of direct self-prehension remains a more robust account than empirical “bundle” theories of the ego, which struggle to explain the unity of reflexive judgments. Although the critique highlights significant difficulties in the treatment of misperception and the infinite divisibility of particulars, these challenges do not definitively invalidate the core idealist conclusions of the system. The supreme axiological status of love and the possibility of a non-theistic, pluralistic spiritual universe persist as viable philosophical positions despite the analytical rigor of the commentary. The evaluation concludes that the original system is damaged but not demolished, retaining substantial value for metaphysical inquiry into the nature of existence and the self. – AI-generated abstract.