C. S. peirce and the quest for gamma graphs

Abstract

This paper deals with some aspects of the history of C. S. Peirce’s Existential Graphs. In his construction of this graphical method during 1896-1897 Peirce was motivated by some interesting considerations regarding diagrammatical reasoning. In the present paper this motivation will be briefly discussed. Whereas Peirce managed to bring the graphical systems of Alpha and Beta Graphs to a high degree of perfection, his treatment of the Gamma Graphs remained tentative and unfinished. Some of his suggestions can also be shown to be mistaken. It is, however, clear that Peirce with his Gamma Graphs was aiming at a complicated system in which one can deal with a number of interesting problems regarding various kinds of modality. Peirce, himself, was well aware of the shortcomings of his treatment of the Gamma Graphs, and he mainly concentrated on the formulation of a Gamma agenda for his followers.