Reading Circle: Peirce’s Harvard Lectures on Pragmatism

What is pragmatism—according to the man who coined the term, Charles Sanders Peirce?

In 1903, C.S. Peirce (1839–1914) was invited by his friend, William James, to deliver a series of lectures on pragmatism at Harvard University. As the editors of The Essential Peirce, vol.2 write, in these lectures, “Peirce sought to build a case for pragmatism by examining its pros and cons. He also wanted to distinguish his pragmatism from other, more popular versions”—such as those of John Dewey and of William James himself. “These are the lectures”, the editors continue, “that William James characterized as ‘flashes of brilliant light relieved against Cimmerian darkness!’”

This summer, the Lyceum Institute is offering the first of our Reading Circles—a less intense form of serious philosophical study than our seminars—on these lectures of Peirce. From July 6 through September 6 (with a break on the week of August 3), we will read one lecture per week, and conclude with Peirce’s “Sundry Logical Conceptions”, which helps to show a unity between his pragmatism and his semiotics. This will average to fewer than 20 pages of reading per week—all of which can be found in The Essential Peirce, vol.2. Discussions will be held on Saturdays at 9:30am Eastern Time (see times around the world here), beginning on July 12. An additional session may be held Mondays at 7:30pm ET (world times) if there is sufficient interest.

As a whole, through his lectures, Peirce explores his phaneroscopy (or phenomenology—that is, his doctrine of the three categories), his metaphysics, conception of science and especially normative science, his semiotics, and his pragmaticism.

These Reading Circles are open to all enrolled Lyceum members. Public individuals can register for a nominal fee (beginning at $25) at the link below.