C. S. Peirce Manuscripts

πλ 1 Prolegomena to an Apology for Pragmatism

Come, reader, let us construct a diagram to illustrate the general course of thought. "Why do that when the thought itself is present to us?" Such, substantially, has been the objection raised by more than one or two superior intelligences, among them by an eminent General. Recluse that I am I was not ready with the counter-question, which should have been, "General, you make of use of maps during a campaign, I believe. Why do you so, when the country they represent is right there?" Thereupon, had he replied, that he found details in the maps that were not "right there", but were in the enemy's lines, I should have pressed the question, " Am I to understand, then, that if you were thoroughly and perfectly familiar [...]