The Commens Dictionary

Quote from ‘Logic of Mathematics: An attempt to develop my categories from within’

Quote: 

Existence is that mode of being which lies in opposition to another. To say that a table exists is to say that it is hard, heavy, opaque, resonant, that is, produces immediate effects upon the senses, and also that it produces purely physical effects, attracts the earth (that is, is heavy), dynamically reacts against other things (that is, has inertia), resists pressure (that is, is elastic), has a definite capacity for heat, etc. To say there is a phantom table by the side of it incapable of affecting any senses or of producing any physical effects whatever, is to speak of an imaginary table. A thing without oppositions ipso facto does not exist.

Date: 
1896 [c.]
References: 
CP 1.457
Citation: 
‘Existence’ (pub. 29.05.14-15:54). 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-logic-mathematics-attempt-develop-my-categories-within-6.
Posted: 
May 29, 2014, 15:54 by Mats Bergman