Sounds like my favorite:
"All our thinking is performed upon signs of some kind or other, either
imagined or actually perceived. The best thinking, especially on
mathematical subjects, is done by experimenting in the imagination upon
a diagram or other scheme, and it facilitates the thought to have it
before one's eyes." Thus, for any "concept" or mental state, "external
signs answer every purpose, and there is no need at all of considering
what passes in one's mind" (Peirce, NEM I 122)
Peirce (NEM). The New Elements of Mathematics by Charles S. Peirce (Vol.
I-IV). The Hague-Paris/Atlantic Highlands, N.J., 1976: Mouton/Humanities
Press.
Best,
Michael
On 7/12/2011 12:59 PM, Michael Tomasello wrote:
Sorry if this went out before (not sure), but I'm looking for a Peirce
quote whose substance (but not words) I recall. Not sure where it was
from, but its something like:
We can know the human mind only by examining its products.
Thank you for any help.
Best,
Mike Tomasello
