The Commens Dictionary

Quote from ‘Chapter IV. Of Reality’

Quote: 

If an object is of whatever character I or any man or men will have it to be or imagine it, it is a fiction; but if its characters are independent of what you or I or any number of men think about it, it is a reality. The object of that final settled opinion to which it is supposed that an investigation will lead, if carried far enough, satisfies this definition of reality; for though the perversity of generations of men may postpone the agreement indefinitely, yet it cannot alter the character of the belief which alone can be permanently established.

Date: 
1872
References: 
W 3:58
Citation: 
‘Real’ (pub. 08.09.16-15:18). 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-chapter-iv-reality-0.
Posted: 
Sep 08, 2016, 15:18 by Mats Bergman