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Fixing Belief Essay example

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The Four Methods of Charles S. Peirce

In “The Fixation of Belief”, Charles S. Peirce attempts to explain his four methods of establishing belief, in which he says all people have. These methods can be put to the test with any subject matter, and one shall always fit.
For instance, let us look at the broad but always hot topic of religious matters, or affairs. First, take into account Peirce’s first method, which is the method of tenacity. Its definition is, “taking as answer to a question any we may fancy, and constantly reiterating it to ourselves, dwelling on all which may conduce to that belief, and learning to turn with contempt and hatred from anything that might disturb …show more content…

This states, “Let the will of the state or the general public act, then, instead of that of the individual.” Of the four, this is the one that really matches up well in fixing belief in religious matters. This method stresses the importance of unifying the individual with the group. This is so true of all religion in that, a group of people is attempting to find a “lost soul”, show them their belief system, and their religion, in the hope that that individual will see the light and become part of their group. For if they are able to make the individual a strong believer, then they are one body stronger in upholding their ideas, doctrines, and beliefs. This method also allows a small amount of thinking within that certain belief system. For example, in the Christian faith, there are many denominations and interpretations of the bible. But the core belief structure is still there, thus allowing people to interpret these beliefs in their own way, and know that a Presbyterian is going to go to the same heaven as his Baptist friend. It is when these boundaries are crossed that people have stepped outside of using this method. Even though the Jews are worshipping the same God, the Christians still believe those people shall go to hell, for they don’t believe in the New Testament, or the coming of Jesus.
The third method of Peirce’s, the a priori method, is very tough to associate with religious matters, in that the method

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