The Commens Dictionary

Quote from ‘The Author's Response to the anticipated Suspicion that he attaches a superstitious or fanciful importance to the number three, and forces Divisions to a Procrustean Bed of Trichotomy’

Term: 
Triadomany
Quote: 

I fully admit that there is a not uncommon craze for trichotomies. I do not know but the psychiatrists have provided a name for it. If not, they should. “Trichimania,” [?] unfortunately, happens to be preëmpted for a totally different passion; but it might be called triadomany. I am not so afflicted; but I find myself obliged, for truth’s sake, to make such a large number of trichotomies that I could not [but] wonder if my readers, especially those of them who are in the way of knowing how common the malady is, should suspect, or even opine, that I am a victim of it.

Source: 
Peirce, Charles S. (1910). The Author's Response to the anticipated Suspicion that he attaches a superstitious or fanciful importance to the number three, and forces Divisions to a Procrustean Bed of Trichotomy. MS [R] 902
Date: 
1910
References: 
CP 1.568
Citation: 
‘Triadomany’ (pub. 09.03.13-16:34). 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-authors-response-anticipated-suspicion-he-attaches-superstitious-or-fanciful.
Posted: 
Mar 09, 2013, 16:34 by Sami Paavola
Last revised: 
Jan 07, 2014, 00:58 by Commens Admin