Transcript L13-421-15-11-16-15

L13-421-15-11-16-15
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The aesthetic, the moral, the logical, the metaphysical
Peirce: CP 1.186
Philosophy is divided into a. Phenomenology; b. Normative Science; c.
Metaphysics.
Phenomenology ascertains and studies the kinds of elements
universally present in the phenomenon; meaning by the phenomenon,
whatever is present at any time to the mind in any way. Normative science
distinguishes what ought to be from what ought not to be, and makes many
other divisions and arrangements subservient to its primary dualistic
distinction. Metaphysics seeks to give an account of the universe of mind
and matter. Normative science rests largely on phenomenology and on
mathematics; metaphysics on phenomenology and on normative science.
SCHEMA:
Aesthetics (phenomenology in P’s sense)
Ethics
Logic (the critique of reasoning, all forms)
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Metaphysics
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• If, however, logic, ethics, and esthetics, which are the
families of normative science, are simply the arts of
reasoning, of the conduct of life, and of fine art, they do
not belong in the branch of theoretic science which we
are alone considering, at all. There is no doubt that they
are closely related to three corresponding arts, or
practical sciences. But that which renders the word
normative needful (and not purely ornamental) is
precisely the rather singular fact that, though these
sciences do study what ought to be, i.e., ideals, they are
the very most purely theoretical of purely theoretical
sciences. What was it that Pascal said? "La vraie morale
se moque de la morale." [True morality makes fun of
morality”]
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2.197 In the derivation of this word, "phenomenon" is to be understood in
the broadest sense conceivable; so that phenomenology might rather be
defined as the study of what seems than as the statement of what appears.
It describes the essentially different elements which seem to present
themselves in what seems. Its task requires and exercises a singular sort of
thought, a sort of thought that will be found to be of the utmost service
throughout the study of logic. It can hardly be said to involve reasoning; for
reasoning reaches a conclusion, and asserts it to be true however matters
may seem; while in Phenomenology there is no assertion except that there
are certain seemings; and even these are not, and cannot be asserted,
because they cannot be described. Phenomenology can only tell the reader
which way to look and to see what he shall see. The question of how far
Phenomenology does reason will receive special attention. We shall next
take up the logic of the normative sciences, of which logic itself is only the
third, being preceded by Esthetics and Ethics.
See 5.37; 5.108
• A work of are does not tell you what to do. It presents
examples of sufficient complexity to allow you the
freedom to think reflectively about the complexity of its
content.
• Since it hinges on freedom, it does entail choice,
reflective choice. That is the link to ethics. Can I assent
to this?
• The choices affect how you reason: can you reason for
yourself, from the perpective of the other, and
consistently? That is the link to Logic
• If you reverse this, and reason down from Metaphysics,
the result is dogma, fundamentalism, the undermining of
choice, the reliance on ideology
Two example
• How can we put U. L. of B together?
• Williams p 61: the transposition of
faculties & followiing poem: The pure
products of America go crazy