Question

According to C.S. Peirce, why is science the best method for gaining knowledge

Answer 1

In my views, according to peirce, Ideally, the beliefs should be determined in an objective way, independent from subjective thinking, so that the conclusions would be same for everybody. Peirce believes that this can be done by the method of science, by studying our empirical observations, and reasoning how the things really are. Then we can set the beliefs which correspond real facts. This method rises a question, whether there exist any reality which we can observe. Peirce argues that it exists, because 1) the contrary conclusion cannot be proved 2) if we don't have a reality, we cannot have wrong beliefs and thus any doubt 3) everybody uses this method 4) this method has produced good results.

This method sounds acceptable, but Peice's arguments do not assure at all. If we consider his arguments, we recognize that the first argument is purely matter of belief, argument 2 is practical convention, 3 is authority argument, discarded by Peirce earlier, and 4 is utilitaristic argument. So none of them is really valid argument! In addition, first two arguments concern existence or reality, while latter two concern the justification of the scientific method