Single Idea 14798

[catalogued under 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 3. Unity Problems / e. Vague objects]

Full Idea

The 'vague' might be defined as that to which the principle of contradiction does not apply. For it is false neither that an animal (in a vague sense) is male, nor that an animal is female. No communication between persons can be entirely non-vague.

Gist of Idea

All communication is vague, and is outside the principle of non-contradiction

Source

Charles Sanders Peirce (Critical Common-Sensism [1905], I)

Book Reference

Peirce,Charles Sanders: 'Philosophical Writings of Peirce', ed/tr. Buchler,Justus [Dover 1940], p.295


A Reaction

Note that he makes vagueness largely a matter of the way we talk, which is David Lewis's approach, and looks right to me.