Full Idea
Philosophy differs from the special sciences in not confining itself to the reality of existence, but also to the reality of potential being.
Gist of Idea
Sciences concern existence, but philosophy also concerns potential existence
Source
Charles Sanders Peirce (Reasoning and the Logic of Things [1898], I)
Book Reference
Peirce,Charles Sanders: 'Reasoning and the Logic of Things', ed/tr. Ketner,K.L. [Harvard 1992], p.115
A Reaction
One might reply that sciences also concern potential being, if their output is universal generalisations (such as 'laws'). I take disposition and powers to be central to existence, which are hence of interest to sciences.
Related Idea
Idea 16127 Metaphysics tells us what there could be, rather than what there is [Lowe]