Reasoning and the Logic of Things

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Charles Sanders Peirce (1839-1914) was a pivotal American philosopher, physicist, mathematician, and the founder of pragmatism. Despite his significant contributions to philosophy, a cohesive presentation of his ideas has been elusive. This publication finally offers a complete and coherent account of Peirce's work, originally delivered as the Cambridge Conferences Lectures of 1898. It serves as an accessible introduction to Peirce's mature thought. He begins by explaining the nature of philosophy and argues that mathematics underpins our logic and metaphysics. The text presents a clear distinction between three types of reasoning: induction, deduction, and retroduction, which Peirce has developed since the 1860s. It also introduces his key logical doctrines, attempts at classifying the sciences, and his theories of categories and science. Peirce shifts from "reasoning" to the "logic of things," advocating for an evolutionary cosmology to elucidate the reality of laws and detailing the reasoning he used to formulate this cosmology. Encouraged by William James, Peirce aimed to make his ideas accessible to a broader audience, including those without advanced training in logic and philosophy. The introductory materials by Kenneth Ketner and Hilary Putnam enhance the clarity of the text, making it a valuable resource for readers beyond Peirce specialists.