Dr Tom Kerns

 

Study Questions for C. S Peirce’s
"The Fixation of Belief"

1. What does Peirce mean by the sensation of doubt?
2. What does he mean by the sensation of belief?
3. What does he mean by the term "inquiry?"
4. What is the method of tenacity? What are its advantages? What are its disadvantages?
5. What is the method of authority? What are its advantages? What are its disadvantages?
6. What is the a priori method? What are its advantages? What are its disadvantages?
7. What is the method of science? What are its advantages? What are its disadvantages?
8. Think of another person you know well. What method does that person mostly favor? Explain.
9. What does Peirce mean by that very first paragraph in the article?
10. Which of the four methods Peirce describes do you think he himself favors? Why does he favor that method, do you think?
11. Which method do you think you yourself mostly favor? Explain why you think this.