# The Commens DictionaryQuote from ‘Minute Logic: Chapter I. Intended Characters of this Treatise’

Quote:

… the study of Abduction. Upon this subject, my doctrine has been immensely improved since my essay “A Theory of Probable Inference” was published in 1883. In what I there said about “Hypothetic Inference” I was an explorer upon untrodden ground. I committed, though I half corrected, a slight positive error, which is easily set right without essentially altering my position. But my capital error was a negative one, in not perceiving that, according to my own principles, the reasoning with which I was there dealing could not be the reasoning by which we are led to adopt a hypothesis, although I all but stated as much. But I was too much taken up in considering syllogistic forms and the doctrine of logical extension and comprehension, both of which I made more fundamental than they really are.

Date:
1902
References:
CP 2.102
Citation:
‘Hypothesis [as a form of reasoning]’ (pub. 03.02.13-17:44). 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-minute-logic-chapter-i-intended-characters-treatise-13.
Posted:
Feb 03, 2013, 17:44 by Sami Paavola
Last revised:
Mar 09, 2018, 09:46 by Mats Bergman