Peirce: CP 1.57 Cross-Ref:††
57. When men begin to rationalize about their conduct, the
first effect is to deliver them over to their passions and produce the most
frightful demoralization, especially in sexual matters. Thus, among the
Greeks, it brought about pæderasty and a precedence of public women over
private wives. But ultimately the subconscious part of the soul, being
stronger, regains its predominance and insists on setting matters right.
Men, then, continue to tell themselves they regulate their conduct by
reason; but they learn to look forward and see what conclusions a given
method will lead to before they give their adhesion to it. In short, it is
no longer the reasoning which determines what the conclusion shall be, but
it is the conclusion which determines what the reasoning shall be. This is
sham reasoning. In short, as morality supposes self-control, men learn that
they must not surrender themselves unreservedly to any method, without
considering to what conclusions it will lead them. But this is utterly
contrary to the single-mindedness that is requisite in science. In order
that science may be successful, its votaries must hasten to surrender
themselves at discretion to experimental inquiry, in advance of knowing
what its decisions may be. There must be no reservations.
Peirce: CP 1.58 Cross-Ref:††
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