30th Annual Student Research Conference
Charles Sanders Peirce & A Dialectic Defense of Speculative Philosophy
Caleb H. Rew
Dr. Stephen Pollard, Faculty Mentor
Speculative philosophy may be regarded as a formal inquiry upon the nature of things beyond readily available empirical limits. Since the time of C. S. Peirce, we have gained more precise means of acquiring empirical evidence. Yet, does this mean philosophy should simply hand over all responsibility of forming positive theories to the special sciences? Using the dialectic method in order to critically evaluate the efficacy of Peirce’s philosophy—particularly focusing upon his metaphysical realism and evolutionism—it is my hope that I may provide a defense for the value of speculative philosophy in general. In all rational inquiry, one must start with certain assumptions based more or less upon the work of one’s predecessors, but where do we turn when abstract evidence seems to contradict observable evidence? Perhaps, as I hope to show, there is much to be learned through the synthesis of limits when faced with potential contradictions.
Keywords: Metaphysics, Evolutionism, Pragmatism, Speculative Philosophy, Dialectics, Fallibilism, C.S. Peirce, Logic of Relatives
Topic(s):Philosophy & Religion
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 409-1
Location: VH 1224
Time: 2:30