Ideas from 'The Fixation of Belief' by Charles Sanders Peirce [1877], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Philosophical Writings of Peirce' by Peirce,Charles Sanders (ed/tr Buchler,Justus) [Dover 1940,0-486-20217-8]].

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1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 3. Metaphysical Systems

6947	Metaphysics does not rest on facts, but on what we are inclined to believe

2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 4. Aims of Reason

6937	Reason aims to discover the unknown by thinking about the known

7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 2. Realism

21492

Realism is basic to the scientific method

7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 4. Anti-realism

6949	If someone doubted reality, they would not actually feel dissatisfaction

11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 4. Belief / c. Aim of beliefs

6940	The feeling of belief shows a habit which will determine our actions

6943	A mere question does not stimulate a struggle for belief; there must be a real doubt

6941	We are entirely satisfied with a firm belief, even if it is false

6942	We want true beliefs, but obviously we think our beliefs are true

13. Knowledge Criteria / B. Internal Justification / 2. Pragmatic justification

6598	We need our beliefs to be determined by some external inhuman permanency

13. Knowledge Criteria / B. Internal Justification / 4. Foundationalism / b. Basic beliefs

6944	Demonstration does not rest on first principles of reason or sensation, but on freedom from actual doubt

13. Knowledge Criteria / C. External Justification / 1. External Justification

6948	Doubts should be satisfied by some external permanency upon which thinking has no effect

13. Knowledge Criteria / D. Scepticism / 6. Scepticism Critique

6945	Once doubt ceases, there is no point in continuing to argue

26. Natural Theory / B. Natural Kinds / 2. Defining Kinds

6939	What is true of one piece of copper is true of another (unlike brass)

27. Natural Reality / G. Biology / 3. Evolution

6938	Natural selection might well fill an animal's mind with pleasing thoughts rather than true ones

28. God / B. Proving God / 2. Proofs of Reason / d. Pascal's Wager

6946	If death is annihilation, belief in heaven is a cheap pleasure with no disappointment