Reading Peirce Reading

The founder of American pragmatism, C. S. Peirce lived as an eccentric but thought as a dedicated communitarian. In Reading Peirce Reading, Richard A. Smyth argues that Peirce's early essays presuppose a very distinctive perspective on the history of philosophy. One important mark of a major philosopher, Smyth argues, is that the philosopher causes, us to read the history of thought a new ways. Smyth shows not only that Peirce passes that test but also that Peirce's philosophical practice actually did conform to his communal idea for inquiry. Students and scholars interested in the history of philosophy and pragmatism will want to read this book.

Richard A. Smyth is professor of philosophy at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.