Charles Sanders Peirce Archives

An abstract painting of two swirling but never intersecting curving lines.

A defense of Charles Sanders Peirce and William James against the charge that their asymptotic approaches to truth and hope are juvenile.

Blog Philosophy

Why We Won’t Ever Arrive at Truth

January 3, 2023January 3, 2023 13 min read Ian Cran Charles Sanders Peirce, Hope, Meliorism, Pragmatism, Truth, William James

A defense of Charles Sanders Peirce and William James against the charge that their asymptotic approaches to truth and hope are juvenile.

While some pragmatists, including William James (right), argue truth is malleable and constantly changing, logician Charles Sanders Peirce (left) asserts it is our knowledge of truth that is variable, not truth itself.

Blog Philosophy

Truth as Pragmatism’s Only Hope

November 28, 2022January 4, 2023 6 min read Jon Alan Schmidt Charles Sanders Peirce, Hope, Meliorism, Pragmatism, Truth, William James

Although some pragmatists argue truth is malleable and constantly changing, logician Charles Sanders Peirce asserts it is our knowledge of truth that is variable, not truth itself.

A romantic oil painting of three Victorian women overlooking majestic mountain peaks.

While pragmatists accept the tragic and boundless nature of a constantly changing and foundationless reality, William James offers hope in a naturalized theism.

Essays Philosophy

What Can Pragmatists Hope for in a Boundless World?

October 27, 2022March 2, 2023 20 min read Nick Gall Charles Sanders Peirce, Chauncey Wright, Hope, Meliorism, Pragmatism, William James

While pragmatists accept the tragic and boundless nature of a constantly changing and foundationless reality, William James offers hope in a naturalized theism.