Peirce's Philosophical Psychology

Peirce is considered not only one of the founders of American pragmatism, but also a pioneering experimental psychologist. This book, ideal for advanced students and scholars of the history and philosophy of psychology, introduces 19th century theories of perception through the interplay between scientific practice and philosophical reflection.

Peirce is often considered a difficult and obscure thinker: “flashes of brilliant light relieved against Cimmerian darkness,” quipped William James. In this book, Claudia Cristalli dispels some of these dark clouds with plain language and by bringing to the fore some of the actual problems with which Peirce engaged, including the reliability of our observations and of our knowledge; the nature of error; why should we choose science as a method to fix belief; and whether knowledge is independent of our ways of acquiring it. These issues are still relevant today, and Peirce's way of addressing them becomes much clearer when set in the context of his scientific practice. This book is the first in-depth account of Peirce's engagement with psychology and its role in his overarching philosophical project and will be valuable for scholars and students interested in the history and philosophy of psychology and in American pragmatism.