November 8th to 11th, 2004

Cassiano Terra Rodrigues
casterod@ig.com.br
PUC-SP - Brazil

SCIENCE, FINALITY, AND POLITICS IN PEIRCE'S CLASSIFICATION OF THE SCIENCES

ABSTRACT
In this communication we will discuss in brief the rationale behind Charles Sanders Peirce's classification of the sciences, showing in short how the idea of a natural classification is linked to the ideas of problem and finality according to Peirce. Finally, we will present very brief remarks concerning some political respects related to the application of scientific knowledge - somewhat a basic definition of technics - that can be found in Peirce's work.

KEYWORDS: Classification of the Sciences; Natural Classes; Final Cause; Technics.

Center for Pragmatism Studies
Philosophy Graduate Program
Departament of Philosophy
Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo - Brazil