Abstract

Self-control is described by Charles S. Peirce as the deliberate ordering of thoughts and conduct in conformity with ideals. This dissertation summarizes the role that the concept of self-control plays in his philosophy. ;Chapter One is an investigation of Peirce's nascent idea of self-control. It examines his personal writings and his early philosophical studies, especially his study of the writings of Friedrich Schiller. Chapter Two employs Peirce's Categories in order to reveal the triadic nature of self-control. Chapter Three is an investigation of Peirce's theories about instincts and perception as they relate to self-control. Chapter Four is an analysis of changes in Peirce's theories of Logic and cognition which led to his explicit use of the concept of self-control in his later writings. These changes ended with his reevaluation of the normative sciences. Self-control requires that we have an idea of the goal for the sake of which we are exercising control. For this reason, Peirce's emphasis on self-control led him to speculate about the goals of inquiry and action. Chapter Five summarizes these speculations and ends with Peirce's conclusion that the admirable per se functioning as Reason is the aim of self-controlled thought and conduct. In conclusion, this dissertation discusses the meaning of Peirce's belief that self-control is the means by which we assist in the growth of Reason