Hi Edwina, List,
Your points are all well taken. However, I prefer to look at your
rhetorical question in the inverse.
Our science writ large has been stuck in some very telling ways. The
standard model of particle physics has been stymied and has not overcome
many perplexing questions for more than 50 years. The standard model of
cosmology has been stuck for 30 years since we learned of the universe's
increasing expansion. Gravity defies incorporation into a theory of
everything. Darwinian evolution and neo-Darwinism have been unable to
describe altruism and kin selection. Neither account for the 'finious'
or teleological aspects as well. Epigenetics suggest much more is at
work than conventional genetic theory. Determinism and reductionism
continue (in my opinion) to unduly lock science into inquisitive dead ends.
The broad framework of Peirce's universal categories and the process of
semiosis offer, I think both of us believe, more fecund bases for
conducting future science than what is being pursued at present. While
it is true that Peirce's work preceded the scientific advances of the
early 20th century, they foreshadowed all of them. Furthermore, there
are legitimate theories across all current scientific disciplines that
can be seen as expressions of these Peircean insights, often without the
explicit knowledge of their proponents about possible connections to
Peirce.
So, to me, the pity is not so much that Peirce was in advance of later
valid science but that current science is largely ignorant of Peirce. As
you know this has been a passion of mine. What is needed is a
re-expression of many current theories consistent with a Peircean
interpretation. I think (know) we will see such an approach will help
filter amongst competing alternate theories in these areas of open
scientific question, which in combination will also reify Peirce's
impressive instincts. Getting more researchers to embrace Peirce in
their own work will break some of these logjams, and bring additional
minds to bear to help further elucidate Peirce's insights.
We have sufficient knowledge at hand to move this enterprise forward.
My Sunday musings, Mike
On 9/29/2024 2:10 PM, Edwina Taborsky wrote:
List
I sometimes wonder/wish - what would it have been like - if Peirce had
lived for another 10-15 years? Would his concepts be validated by the
advances in the scientific world?
1] What about his outline of the emergence of the universe [1.412;
6.217]- The idea of an expanding, evolving universe, which emerged
from a singularity of density [potentiality?] as Peirce outlines it in
1.412, can be compared with the 1920’s and 1930’s scientific proposals
[Friedmann, Lemaitre] of the emergence of the universe from a dense
singularity.
2] His concept that - there was ‘no time’ in this phase - has also
been scientifically shown as valid.
3] What about the electromagnetic force - one of the four fundamental
forces? I have always defined the Semiotic process of O-R-I
[Object-Representamen-Interpretant ] as comparable to a function, ie,
where F(X)=Y ..or.. Representamen/Sign [Object)=Interpretant.
But in addition, an analogy can be made with the electromagnetic
force, which is an interaction that occurs between particles with
electric charge via electromagnetic fields. I’d compare a magnetic
field to the semiosic process, where one vector, B is the magnetic
induction [compare with the Object’s data]; and the other vector , H,
is the magnetic fields intensity/strength [ ie, the strength of the
Interpretant’s informational content.
It’s interesting that in a vacuum [ infinity???] B and H are
proportional to each other, but inside matter, they are different -
which fits in with the notion of an evolving or different interpretant.
4] And of course, his concepts of the reality of chance/freedom as
well as the developments of stable patterns - have also been
scientifically validated.
Just another decade or two- would have shown, scientifically, the
validity of his theories.
Edwina
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Michael K. Bergman
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__________________________________________
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
ARISBE: THE PEIRCE GATEWAY is now at
https://cspeirce.com and, just as well, at
https://www.cspeirce.com . It'll take a while to repair / update all the links!
► PEIRCE-L subscribers: Click on "Reply List" or "Reply All" to REPLY ON
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