The Commens Dictionary

Quote from ‘On the Natural Classification of Arguments’

Quote: 

every argument has, as portion of its leading principle, a certain principle which cannot be eliminated from its leading principle. Such a principle may be termed a logical principle.

An argument whose leading principle contains nothing which can be eliminated is termed a complete, in opposition to an incomplete, rhetorical, or enthymematic argument.

Since it can never be requisite that a fact stated should also be implied in order to justify a conclusion, every logical principle considered as a proposition will be found to be quite empty. Considered as regulating the procedure of inference, it is determinate; but considered as expressing truth, it is nothing.

Date: 
1867
References: 
W 2:24-25
Editorial Annotations: 

In 1893, Peirce modified the last part of this quote as follows: "Since it can never be requisite that a fact stated should also be implied in order to justify a conclusion, every logical principle considered as an assertion will be found to be quite empty. The only thing it really enunciates is a rule of inference; considered as expressing truth, it is nothing." (CP 2.467)

Citation: 
‘Logical Principle’ (pub. 23.03.18-14:49). 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-natural-classification-arguments-3.
Posted: 
Mar 23, 2018, 14:49 by Mats Bergman
Last revised: 
Mar 23, 2018, 14:57 by Mats Bergman