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Home > Quote from "Letter to J. H. Kehler"

Commens
Digital Companion to C. S. Peirce
‘Retroduction’ (pub. 12.03.13-19:12). 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-letter-j-h-kehler-5.
Term: 
Retroduction
Quote: 

I am unable yet quite to prove that the three kinds of reasoning I mean are the only kinds of sound reasoning; though I can show reason to think that it can be proved, and very strong probable reasons for thinking that there is no fourth kind. I call the three, Deduction, Induction, and Retroduction; though the last only is a word invented by me.

A scientific inquiry must usually, if not always, begin with retroduction. An Induction can hardly be sound or at least is to be suspected usually, unless it has been preceded by a Retroductive reasoning to the same general effect.

Source: 
Peirce, C. S. (1911). Letter to J. H. Kehler. L [R] 231.
References: 
NEM 3:177-178
Date of Quote: 
1911
URL: 

http://www.commens.org/dictionary/entry/quote-letter-j-h-kehler-5