The Pragmatic Maxim and the Proof of Pragmatism (3): Habits and Interpretants

Abstract

The paper explores a strategy for defending  the pragmatist maxim which Peirce discussed in a manuscript from 1907 (MS 318). It tries to show that propositions are linked to habits of action by showing that such habits serve as ultimate logical interpretants of concepts or propositions. After analyzing the arguments employed, the paper identifies gaps in their defence of the pragmatism maxim. It then speculates about how the discussion of interpretants could be connected to a defence of the pragmatism maxim.