Customer Reviews

Charles S. Peirce: From Pragmatism to Pragmaticism

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If you still believe that the enlightenment is more convincing than unquestioned ignorance (or what amounts to the same thing--a philosophical return to fundamentalist authoritarinism hidden within a philosophy of what is thought to be radically 'other') this book is a great book to have. Or if you are convinced by the arguments of Habermas but wish that he would stop apologising and parsing words with himself, then this brilliant and above all clear book by Karl-otto Apel is for you. Apel is one of the last philosophers left who can make a strong argument in favour of reason. He is the last great scientific and rational humanist left in an intellectual landscape which is more and more looking like an ode to the ultimate demise of reason and sanity.

A good indicator of the depth and fecundity of Peirce's philosophy is the many excellent books written about it, together with the great variance in their interpretations. From Pragmatism to Pragmaticism has one of the broadest presentations of Peirce's views. It is one of the more difficult books I've read on Peirce, but it's also proven very useful.

Apel utilizes the three fundamental categories to unify and explain Peirce's concepts, and that improves its coherence, which sometimes seems to push the boundary. He develops notions such as `meaning-critical realism' and `regulative principles' as key explanatory tools. Ultimately, Apel gives priority to presenting a `social pragmatical' view of Peirce, as opposed to a metaphysical interpretation. This emphasis is not congenial to my taste, but is nonetheless fruitful and interesting.

Apel reveals internal tensions within Peirce's system, as he vacillated on some critical issues. Some authors minimize it, but (like T.L. Short) not Apel. That increases the difficulty level of the book, as the various dynamical positions are not as well organized as they could be. The book is written in a discursive, hermeneutic style, and not as a carefully constructed thesis. It feels like Apel has several agendas, and it isn't always clear which one is operative at any moment.

The book is a difficult slog in places, as it juggles Peircean topics like pragmatism, semiotics, synechism, tychism and agapism, with their connections to other philosophers (Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, James, Royce, phenomenology, et. al.), and Peirce's developmental stages. In different stages, the discussion ranges from metaphysics, to logic, to human praxis (and more). Considering all this complexity, and despite the typical clarity of Apel's writing, it would be a small wonder if one didn't sometimes feel confused and overwhelmed. But the benefit to the reader is the context you gain. This is unmatched in any other Peirce book I'm aware of. From Pragmatism to Pragmaticism is a book you'll want to "live in" for several weeks.