The Essential Peirce, Volume 1 (1867–1893): Selected Philosophical Writings

The first of two volumes collecting key philosophical writings by American philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce, who is considered the father of pragmatism. Since Peirce produced no comprehensive treatise, his work was scattered across numerous papers. This anthology brings together essential texts to provide a complete overview of his thought, including several hard-to-obtain items. Volume 1 presents twenty-five texts arranged chronologically, beginning with "On a New List of Categories" (1867)—regarded as an alternative to Kantian philosophy—and concluding with his evolutionary metaphysics from the Monist Metaphysical Series (1891–1893). The volume includes an introduction and headnotes to clarify Peirce's philosophical system and its development, making it suitable for classroom use and scholarly study. Volume 2 will cover 1894 until Peirce's death in 1914, focusing on his system of signs and mature pragmatism.