Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Hermarchus, Harold Joachim and Charles Sanders Peirce

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3 ideas

15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 2. Imagination
Only imagination can connect phenomena together in a rational way [Peirce]
     Full Idea: We can stare stupidly at phenomena; but in the absence of imagination they will not connect themselves together in any rational way.
     From: Charles Sanders Peirce (Scientific Attitude and Fallibilism [1899], I)
     A reaction: The importance of this is its connection between imagination and 'rational' understanding. This is an important corrective to a crude traditional picture of the role of imagination. I would connect imagination with counterfactuals and best explanation.
15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 5. Generalisation by mind
Generalisation is the great law of mind [Peirce]
     Full Idea: The generalising tendency is the great law of mind.
     From: Charles Sanders Peirce (Reasoning and the Logic of Things [1898], VII)
     A reaction: How else could a small and compact mind get a grip on a vast and diverse reality? This must even apply to inarticulate higher animals.
Generalization is the true end of life [Peirce]
     Full Idea: Generalization, the spelling out of continuous systems, in thought, in sentiment, in deed, is the true end of life.
     From: Charles Sanders Peirce (Reasoning and the Logic of Things [1898], III)
     A reaction: I take understanding to be the true aim of life, and full grasp of particulars (e.g. of particular people) is as necessary as generalisation. This is still a very nice bold idea.