Continuity and Discontinuity in Boundary Issues

Abstract

Notwithstanding the little importance given in the commentaries to the statute of boundary elements worked by Peirce, this theme remains present during more than a decade in Peirce's writings. Always returning to the same examples such as the colors to be attributed to the bourndary elements of two adjacent surfaces, one red and the other blue, or the present moment in the flow of time, Peirce progressively advances the best theoretical explanation he can find to this so intriquing question. After a long inquiry involving the statute of the continuum, Peirce finally takes a very personal position defending the infinitesimal nature of the nourndary element due to its affirmative potential mode of being. Assuming this thesis, Peirce can reread Aristotle, redistributing the roles to be conferred to matter, form and entelechy, as well as the true concept of continuity.