Frances says: This message may be an aside, but the principle of evolutionary love as it is understood by me might be well applied to the act of science. It states that objects and here thinkers should give of themselves and thus their ideas freely, for its own intrinsic sake, with no ulterior motive, and expect nothing in return for the effort. This ideal implies to me that it is the message that is important, and not the messenger. It also neatly disposes of personal ego and material profit. This principle of course was posited by Peirce well before the promising internet and its open websites existed, if indeed this fact makes any difference. The need for identifying the messenger is in my opinion overstated and overrated. It too often smacks of celebrity elitism, and lionizes the messenger to the detriment of the message.
REPLY: There are logical reasons, though, for being able to identify the author of the message, Frances. I think you are overlooking the import of Peirce's view of the nature of assertion, which essentially involves the idea that making the assertion is a taking of personal responsibility for the intended effect on others of the act of telling others what one believes or holds to. Without personal identification personal responsibility would be impossible. Joe Ransdell -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.12/265 - Release Date: 2/20/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.12/265 - Release Date: 2/20/2006 --- Message from peirce-l forum to subscriber archive@mail-archive.com
