Peirce on categories: Towards a metaphysical foundation of pragmatics

This paper focuses on Peirce's account of the categories. Its first aim is to work out a synoptic view of Peirce's categorial research. The second aim consists in stating and evaluating the conceptual changes that Peirce's conception entails regarding each of the three dimensions (ontological, semiotic, and cognitive) that are usually involved in such research. The third and major aim consists in stating that a kind of metaphysical foundation of pragmatics might be sought for in Peirce's 'mature' conception of the categories, insofar as pragmatic properties appear, to the greatest extent, to be grounded in the most fundamental level of the semiotic process itself A tentative 'Peircean pragmatics' is outlined as a conclusion.