Pragmatism as a Principle and Method of Right Thinking

A study edition of Peirce's manuscripts for lectures on pragmatism given in spring 1903 at Harvard University, with notes, preface, and an original introduction by the editor introducing Peirce and interpreting Peirce's thinking for a more general readership.

This is a study edition of Charles Sanders Peirce's manuscripts for lectures on pragmatism given in spring 1903 at Harvard University. Excerpts from these writings have been published elsewhere but in abbreviated form. Turrisi has edited the manuscripts for publication and has written a series of notes that illuminate the historical, scientific, and philosophical contexts of Peirce's references in the lectures. She has also written a Preface that describes the manner in which the lectures came to be given, including an account of Peirce's life and career pertinent to understanding the philosopher himself. Turrisi's introduction interprets Peirce's brand of pragmatism within his system of logic and philosophy of science as well as within general philosophical principles.

"I am excited about having this set of lectures available in a solid, sturdy, and well-edited study edition of the kind Turrisi has produced. I like the editor's thoughtful and searching Introduction for an important set of lectures delivered by Peirce, one of the most important lecture series Peirce gave. Through this volume's appearance the inventor of pragmatism--the original native American philosophy--will at last have a thorough voicing of what is perhaps his strongest statement of that doctrine and method in science and philosophy. Previous editions or versions of this lecture series have been seriously incomplete." -- Kenneth Laine Ketner, Peirce Professor of Philosophy, Director, Institute for Studies in Pragmaticism, Texas Tech University

"From the Preface through the Introduction the editor has taken a very descriptive, straightforward approach, saying what she has in mind clearly and mixing with this highly interesting quotations from letters and manuscripts. Peirce is allowed to speak for himself without an elaborate theory being imposed as to the nature of his thought. In so doing the editor herself strikes a very Peircean tone.

"These papers will not come out for years (decades) in the edition of the Peirce papers. But here they are available right now in a fine order with solid introductions. Everyone will want to read them. A special advantage here is Peirce introducing his own thought, his basic concepts at the time to an audience that does not know them. When one can find a major philosopher doing this, it is always important. It is a natural key to the philosopher's philosophy. Outstanding." -- Donald Phillip Verene, Candler Professor of Metaphysics and Moral Philosophy, Emory University

Patricia A. Turrisi is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Associate Director of the Honors Scholars Program, The University of North Carolina at Wilmington.