as Pierce states, the sole end of inquiry (47). Pierce then goes on to pragmatically examine the question of belief and doubt through four methods. The first is his method of tenacity, which denotes believing any answers we like, and considering everything that is in accordance with that belief, while rejecting all that disrupts our belief (47). It is a process of coming to beliefs that is deliberately adopted, to give one the feeling of satisfaction and stability, which yields great peace of mind (48). Pierce refutes this method, showing that it is unable to hold its ground in a society where people hold contrary beliefs, because this will inevitably shake ones confidence in their own beliefs: we shall necessarily influence each others opinions (48). Pierce then leads us to the method of authority, which states that the will of the state acts as the will of the individual (49). In this method, the institution of the state keeps its people informed of correct doctrines, and teaches them to the young (the institution here having the power to choose what beliefs are held, and which are suppressed). It forces the individual into ignorance and suppression of their own doubts and beliefs, segregating them from the influence of the rest of the world (49). This method has been held throughout history through society and religion, showing results of greater success then the method of tenacity. Pierce refutes this method of intellectual slavery by stating that, while the institution can regulate opinions on important matters, the rest of mens minds must be left to the action of natural causes (50). This leads him into the a priori method, in which we believe what we find ourselves inclined to believe; an impulse to believe in propositions as well as a decision on what proposition is to be believed (50). This method is mainly adopted because ones propositions appear agreeable to reason: Mens opinions will soon lead them to rest on pref...
