The Commens Dictionary
Quote from ‘Notes on Topical Geometry’
Term:
Quote:
Signs are of three kinds,
1st, the icon, which represents its object by virtue of a character which it would equally possess did the object and the interpreting mind not exist;
2nd, the index, which represents its object by virtue of a character which it could not possess did the object not exist, but which it would equally possess did the interpreting mind not operate;
3rd, the symbol, which represents its object by virtue of a character which is conferred upon it by an operation of the mind.
[—]
A symbol is a sign which represents an object by virtue of having a character imputed to it by an operation of the interpreting mind.
Date:
1899-1900 [c.]
References:
MS [R] 142:4-6
Citation:
‘Symbol’ (pub. 12.01.15-13:51). 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-notes-topical-geometry-3.