108 THE EXPERIMENTAL THEORY 



pains are taken to regulate the meanings that at 

 tach to things. These situations define that type 

 of knowing which we call scientific. There are 

 things that claim to mean other experiences; in 

 which the trait of meaning other objects is not dis 

 covered ab extra, and after the event, but is part of 

 the thing itself. This trait of the thing is as real 

 istic, as specific, as any other of its traits. It is, 

 therefore, as open to inspection and determination 

 as to its nature, as is any other trait. Moreover, 

 since it is upon this trait that assurance (as distinct 

 from accident) of fulfilment depends, an especial 

 interest, an absorbing interest, attaches to its de 

 termination. Hence the scientific type of knowl 

 edge and its growing domination over other sorts. 

 We employ meanings in all intentional construc 

 tions of experience in all anticipations, whether 

 artistic, utilitarian or technological, social or 

 moral. The success of the anticipation is found 

 to depend upon the character of the meaning. 

 Hence the stress upon a right determination of 

 these meanings. Since they are the instruments 

 upon which fulfilment depends so far as that is 

 controlled or other than accidental, they become 

 themselves objects of surpassing interest. For all 

 persons at some times, and for one class of persons 

 (scientists) at almost all times, the determination 

 of the meanings employed in the control of ful 

 filments (of acting upon meanings) is central. 



