Peirce: The Fixation of Belief

In this essay, Peirce goes through what could be considered a basic outline of a course in logic. He goes through what is faulty logic and what is good logic and he also goes so far as to distinguish four different methods of fixing belief, the scientific method, the method of tenacity, the method of authority, and the a priori method. In describing these methods he concluded by saying that in specific terms these methods are not faulty for the individual using them because they cannot necessarily be considered wrong for that individual, but on a larger scale, beliefs cause issues if they threaten the bonds that tie a community together. In a way this sounds a little utilitarian, but I do not believe that Peirce is saying anything either way except to declare that people should not be scared by doubt, nor should they think that there is anything wrong with being confident about their beliefs.

Peirce just wants people to understand that logic properly exercised is important and that the only method that demands a uniformity of belief is science.

Also, what is important in fixing belief is not necessarily the truth that it produces, but the methods it uses. We need to season ourselves to properly pick and choose methods appropriate to expanding upon the logic we claim. "A clear logical conscience does cost something--But we should not desire it to be otherwise" (Peirce 25).