The Commens Dictionary

Quote from ‘Some Consequences of Four Incapacities’

Quote: 

But it follows that since no cognition of ours is absolutely determinate, generals must have a real existence. Now this scholastic realism is usually set down as a belief in metaphysical fictions. But, in fact, a realist is simply one who knows no more recondite reality than that which is represented in a true representation. Since, therefore, the word “man” is true of something, that which “man” means is real. The nominalist must admit that man is truly applicable to something; but he believes that there is beneath this a thing in itself, an incognizable reality. His is the metaphysical figment.

Date: 
1868
References: 
W 2:239, CP 5.312
Citation: 
‘Scholastic Realism’ (pub. 09.06.14-20:14). Quote in M. Bergman & S. Paavola (Eds.), The Commens Dictionary: Peirce's Terms in His Own Words. New Edition. Retrieved from http://www.commens.org/dictionary/entry/quote-some-consequences-four-incapacities-4.
Posted: 
Jun 09, 2014, 20:14 by Sami Paavola