Chance, Love, and Logic: Philosophical Essays

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

65274

Title

Chance, Love, and Logic: Philosophical Essays

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Charles S. Peirce's seminal collection explores the philosophical foundations of chance, love, and logic. With an introduction by Morris R. Cohen and a supplementary essay by John Dewey, this volume offers a coherent account of Peirce's pragmatism, examining scientific method, metaphysics, and the nature of reality through rigorous logical analysis.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Chance, Love, and Logic: Philosophical Essays*, Charles S. Peirce presents his most developed philosophical system, arguing that chance (tychism) is a fundamental element of the universe rather than an anomaly to be eliminated. Rejecting deterministic views like those of Laplace, Peirce posits that genuine novelty exists in nature and that the universe is not governed by rigid necessity alone. He critiques 'one-idea'd philosophies as unsound, advocating instead for theories constructed architectonically through a complete survey of human knowledge. This method requires studying the successes and failures of various sciences to determine how their conceptions fit into a coherent whole. Peirce analyzes modern molecular physics to challenge the notion of absolute impenetrability in atoms. Citing the virial theorem and Van der Waals' equation, he argues that atoms are not solid spheres but distributions of potential energy. He suggests that at high pressures, molecules may dissociate into sub-molecules, indicating that matter is fundamentally continuous. This view aligns with his broader metaphysical commitment to synechism, or the continuity of nature. The essays also address the role of love as a creative force in evolution and logic, distinguishing it from mere chance or strict necessity. Peirce asserts that truth is an ideal limit approached through inquiry, bridging exact sciences and metaphysics. Significant for its historical impact on American philosophy, the work nourished contemporaries like William James and Josiah Royce. Peirce's arguments challenge readers to accept a universe where continuity, chance, and logical growth coexist, offering a profound re-evaluation of scientific laws and the nature of reality itself.

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Categories

• Philosophy
• Science