The Commens Dictionary

Quote from ‘A Syllabus of Certain Topics of Logic’

Term: 
Mathematics
Quote: 

Science of Discovery is either, I. Mathematics; II. Philosophy; or III. Idioscopy.

Mathematics studies what is and what is not logically possible, without making itself responsible for its actual existence. Philosophy is positive science, in the sense of discovering what really is true; but it limits itself to so much of truth as can be inferred from common experience. Idioscopy embraces all the special sciences, which are principally occupied with the accumulation of new facts.

Source: 
Peirce, Charles S. (1903). A Syllabus of Certain Topics of Logic
Date: 
1903
References: 
CP 1.183-187
Citation: 
‘Mathematics’ (pub. 05.02.13-20:10). 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-syllabus-certain-topics-logic-3.
Posted: 
Feb 05, 2013, 20:10 by Sami Paavola
Last revised: 
Jan 07, 2014, 00:59 by Commens Admin