Fixing Belief
The Four Methods of Charles S. Peirce
In “The Fixation of Belief”, Charles S. Peirce attempts to explain his four methods of establishing belief, in which he says all people have. These methods can be put to the test with any subject matter, and one shall always fit.
For instance, let us look at the broad but always hot topic of religious matters, or affairs. First, take into account Peirce’s first method, which is the method of tenacity. Its definition is, “taking as answer to a question any we may fancy, and constantly reiterating it to ourselves, dwelling on all which may conduce to that belief, and learning to turn with contempt and hatred from anything that might disturb it.” ...
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at all times. The part that I do not see fit in the first method is the part about turning with contempt and hatred from anything that might disturb it. From past experience, I have always found religious people to be some of the most open minded people, willing to listen and be attentive to anything you have to say. They do not turn with contempt and hatred if you do not believe exactly what they believe. The only case where I see a religious group shutting out anything and everything, would be the monks.
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They go to great lengths to get as far from civilization as they possibly can, for fear of their own sanctity.
The second method of Peirce’s is the method of authority. This states, “Let the will of the state or the general public act, then, instead of that of the individual.” Of the four, this is the one that really matches up well in in religious matters. This method stresses the importance of unifying the individual with the group. This is so true of all ...
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to something that would make his opinion seem wrong. They also believe that what is right for one man, is not necessarily right for the next, and that the dispute over their beliefs will never end. For this, they become content in their own beliefs, not worrying either way whether they are right or wrong. This method is just too far out there for religious purposes, in that in religion, there is a stated set of beliefs, and though there is more than one interpretation of this belief, there are not millions of opinions as there are likely to be in the a priori method.
Lastly, is the method of science. First of all, whenever science and religion are used in the same ...
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"Fixing Belief." Essayworld.com. March 26, 2005. Accessed April 24, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Fixing-Belief/24333.
"Fixing Belief." Essayworld.com. March 26, 2005. Accessed April 24, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Fixing-Belief/24333.
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