9

πλ
9

symbols and indices are indispensible in reasoning, yet it is
icons only that rationally determine any true representation of
the object. But at last we have to face the burly objector who does
not see that any signs at all are needed in reasoning. It is true that
the complete premiss of a necessary argument is, ipso facto, a
sign of the truth of the conclusion; but that does not prove that signs
are requisite to the eduction of the conclusion from the premiss.
This is an objection too broad to be blinked or to be summarily
passed over. This was the inner spring of the Gereral's objection,
and it recurs again and again in the study of pragmatism. The
answer, in brief, is that thoughts, and thinkings too, are signs. That
thoughts refer to objects, whether these objects are fabrications of the
thoughts or are independent beings, is evident. But this is not

πλ
9

symbols and indices are indispensible in reasoning, yet it is
icons only that rationally determine any true representation of
the object. But at last we have to face the burly objector who does
not see that any signs at all are needed in reasoning. It is true that
the complete premiss of a necessary argument is, ipso facto, a
sign of the truth of the conclusion; but that does not prove that signs
are requisite to the eduction of the conclusion from the premiss.
This is an objection too broad to be blinked or to be summarily
passed over. This was the inner spring of the Gereral's objection,
and it recurs again and again in the study of pragmatism. The
answer, in brief, is that thoughts, and thinkings too, are signs. That
thoughts refer to objects, whether these objects are fabrications of the
thoughts or are independent beings, is evident. But this is not