Epilogue—reflections on complexions of habit

pp. 421-432

in: Myrdene Anderson (ed), Consensus on Peirce's concept of habit, Berlin, Springer, 2016

Abstract

Peirce's entire semiotic rests upon his concept of habit. In supplying us with his categories, together with virtual habit as potential habit, Peirce opens up pregnant propositions, assertions, and arguments to arrive at novel inferences in the continuum of ideas. He makes emphatic his commitment to unify all members, by demonstrating the relevance of momentary, individual existents to the improvement of logic for all generations. Accordingly, habit welds members of the continuum—championing each accomplishment (physical, mental, conscious/unconscious), in light of their contribution to ontological and logical objectivity at large. In short, the compulsion to discover hidden patterns of truth for mankind provides a lofty purpose for the individual—to utilize signs (consciously and unconsciously) as tools of enlightenment beyond the self.

Cited authors

Peirce Charles Sanders