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Single Idea 14783

[from 'The Nature of Mathematics' by Charles Sanders Peirce, in 5. Theory of Logic / C. Ontology of Logic / 3. If-Thenism ]

Full Idea

Mathematics is purely hypothetical: it produces nothing but conditional propositions. Logic, on the contrary, is categorical in its assertions. True, it is a normative science, and not a mere discovery of what really is. It discovers ends from means.

Gist of Idea

Logic, unlike mathematics, is not hypothetical; it asserts categorical ends from hypothetical means

Source

Charles Sanders Peirce (The Nature of Mathematics [1898], II)

Book Reference

Peirce,Charles Sanders: 'Philosophical Writings of Peirce', ed/tr. Buchler,Justus [Dover 1940], p.142