Illustrations of the Logic of Science: A Sesquicentennial Celebration

Join us at the University of Calgary in June 2027 and in June 2028, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of one of the most consequential series of essays in American philosophy.

Published in Popular Science Monthly from 1877 to 1878, Charles S. Peirce’s Illustrations of the Logic of Science comprises six essays: “The Fixation of Belief,” “How to Make Our Ideas Clear,” “The Doctrine of Chances,” “The Probability of Induction,” “The Order of Nature,” and “Deduction, Induction, and Hypothesis.” The first two essays, which present Peirce’s account of inquiry and the maxim of pragmatism that became the seed of all subsequent philosophical pragmatism, will be the focus of the first part of our celebration, to be held June 16-18, 2027. The remaining four essays, highly significant to Peirce’s thought on the meaning of probability, the logic of abduction, and the structure of scientific reasoning, will be the focus of the second part of our celebration in June 2028 (exact dates are TBA).

PART ONE:

When: Wednesday, June 16 – Friday, June 18, 2027

Where: University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada

The first part will be hosted at the University of Calgary by Mark Migotti. It will begin on Wednesday, June 16, and run through Friday, June 18, 2027, and it will include the Peirce Society’s annual general meeting. We expect approximately 25 speakers for part I. No sessions will run concurrently. More information regarding the conference, including registration and other details, is forthcoming.

Currently, we invite submissions for a limited number of speaking slots at part one of the celebration, in June 2027. Speaking time (including time for Q&A) will be 35-40 minutes. Those interested in speaking may submit an abstract of up to 750 words of the proposed talk along with speaker information, which should include whether the speaker is a current graduate student, for consideration for a graduate student panel. Please submit your abstract and information to [email protected] no later than January 15th, 2027. Interested speakers will be notified by March 1st, 2027.