Full Idea
We can stare stupidly at phenomena; but in the absence of imagination they will not connect themselves together in any rational way.
Gist of Idea
Only imagination can connect phenomena together in a rational way
Source
Charles Sanders Peirce (Scientific Attitude and Fallibilism [1899], I)
Book Reference
Peirce,Charles Sanders: 'Philosophical Writings of Peirce', ed/tr. Buchler,Justus [Dover 1940], p.43
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.