91

A2

questions. Yet since I am
asked, I have no objection to saying that
in my opinion what makes a reasoning
sound is the fact real law that that the general
method which that reasoning more or
less consciously pursues does tend toward
the truth. The very essence of an argument,—
that which distinguishes it from all other
kinds of signs,— is that it professes to be
the representative of a general method of
procedure tending toward the truth.
To say that this method tends toward the true
is to say that it is a real law that existences
will follow. Now if that profession is true,
and the conclusions of that method really