Summary Of Belief By Charles Peirce

The method of authority as presented by Charles S. Peirce as way to "fix beliefs" and “doubts” and to address the problem of tenacity is most intriguing idea in this text. The explanation of the method can be found on page four in The Fixation of belief by Charles S. Peirce, basically the method explains the acceptance of rules, social norms, and morals that were placed by those in power. It can be in the form of governments, religion, parents and a cultural aspect such as a tribe (Peirce 4). To understand the purpose of this method is to first understand beliefs and the role they play. According to Peirce, “Our beliefs guide our desires and shape our actions.” One example Pierce uses to better explain this concept is the “Assassins, or followers of the Old Man of the Mountain, used to
Basically Peirce is saying a person’s beliefs is crucial because it is universally accepted. Since it is it accepted by those who are under the influence by those in power, the guidelines or rules are rarely challenged as long as their isn’t an outside influence. “ This imperfection will be no source of weakness so long as men are in such a state of culture that one opinion does not influence another” (Peirce 4). It also gives those members a sense of purpose “...they cannot help seeing that it is mere accident of their having been taught as they have, and of their having been surrounded with manners and associations they have, that has caused them to believe as they do and not far differently” (Peirce 4-5). A few examples of how method of authority works were mentioned in Mr. Forbes ethics class, the most relevant example is the story of Abraham and Isaac from the bible. In the times of Abraham, sacrfices were often made to God in order to pay for one’s sins. God tells Abraham to scarfice his son Isaac. Abraham is obedient to God and takes his son to the altar at the top of the mountain to offer him to