A transitional book in the development of Royce's thought, originally published in 1908, The Philosophy of Loyalty is a key to understanding his influence on the development of pragmatism. Royce's basic argument is clear. Individual wills are a given, and social training is a natural aspect of community.

John J. McDermott, author of the introduction to this new edition, is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Head of Humanities in Medicine at Texas A&M University. He is the editor of five volumes of scholarly editions of the writings of William James, John Dewey, and Josiah Royce, as well as several textbooks and collections of philosophical essays.