The Midworld of Symbols and Other Objects

Publication information: The Midworld of Symbols and Functioning Objects (New York: W. W. Norton, 1982). The ‘dead matter’ for this book is contained in Box 39 of the Miller Papers. All chapter titles are editorial additions unless specified otherwise.

Below are the contents of the book. To go directly to a chapter, click on the numbered link.

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Appendix on editorial marks

Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Chapter 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

 

Chapter 1.  A Midworld.
Editorial Mark: C red g (4 GPB).
Document Type: Unmailed letter to former student Mr. George P. Brockway.
Pages: 7-8(¶1).
Date: 1977?
Box & Folder: MP 28:6.

Editorial Mark: C. 1970? (4).
Document Type: Unmailed letter to Professor of Philosophy Alburey Castell of the University of Minnesota.
Pages: 8(¶2)-19.
Date: 1970?
Box & Folder: MP 18:10.

Editorial Mark: C. 1975? red c (2).
Document Type: Essay draft.
Pages: 8 (footnote).
Date: 1975?
Box & Folder: MP 25:17.

Chapter 2.  The Mystery of Appearance.
Editorial Mark: C. c (2).
Document Type: Essay draft.
Pages: 20-22(¶3) and 33(¶5)-35.
Date: Before 1970.
Box & Folder: MP 6:2.

Editorial Mark: G 7/19/44 a (3).
Document Type: Notes.
Pages: 22(¶4)-33(amidst ¶3 “Pine does. . .”).
Date: 19 July 1944.
Box & Folder: MP 12:8.

Editorial Mark: To Brégy Nov. 1972.
Document Type: Letter to former student Mr. Philip Brégy.
Pages: 33(amidst ¶3 “. . . not order space”)-(end of ¶3).
Date: 1972.
Box & Folder: MP 20:4.

Editorial Mark: C. g 1977? (2).
Document Type: Essay draft.
Pages: 33 (¶4).
Date: 1977?
Box & Folder: MP 25:16.

Editorial Mark: C. c (2).
Document Type; Essay Draft.
Pages: 33(¶5)-35.
Date: 1960s.
Box & Folder: MP 6:2.

Chapter 3.  Spectacle and Spectator.
Editorial Mark: CAS-T.
Document Type: Letter to Professor of Philosophy Alburey Castell of the University of Minnesota.
Pages: 36-45(¶4).
Date: December 1971.
Box & Folder: MP 21:1.

Editorial Mark: 6/23/54 a (3).
Document Type: Notes.
Pages: 45(¶5)-47.
Date: 23 June 1954.
Box & Folder: MP 14:8.

Chapter 4.  Action and Order.
Editorial Mark: To GPB 5/30/68.
Document Type: Letter to former student Mr. George P. Brockway.
Pages: 48-52(¶2) and 55(¶2)-58.
Date: 30 May 1968.
Box & Folder: MP 30:4.

Editorial Mark: C red e (4).
Document Type: Unmailed letter.
Pages: 52(¶3)-54(¶3).
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 28:4.

Editorial Mark: F. Hist. (4).
Document Type: Unmailed letter.
Pages: 54(¶4)-55(¶1).
Date: Prior 1060s.
Box & Folder: MP 19:1.

Chapter 5.  Philosophy is Just Talk.
Editorial Mark: CAS-R.
Document Type: Letter to Professor of Philosophy Alburey Castell of the University of Minnesota.
Pages: 59-65.
Date: 1971?
Box & Folder: MP 21:1.
Remarks: My estimation of the date.

Chapter 6.  “Explaining” Language.
Editorial Mark: To GPB May 3, 1968.
Document Type: Letter to former student Mr. George P. Brockway.
Pages: 66-75.
Date: 3 May 1968.
Box & Folder: MP 30:4.

Chapter 7.  The Act as Unenvironed.
Editorial Mark: J. red d (4).
Document Type: Unmailed letter.
Pages: 76-77(¶2).
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 29:12.
Remarks: Possibly a letter to Professor of Philosophy Alburey Castell of the University of Minnesota.

Editorial Mark: C. red l (2).
Document Type: Essay draft.
Pages: 77(¶3)-82.
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 25:26.
Remarks: Originally titled “Note on Action as Unenvironed.”

Chapter 8.  The Environment as Actual.
Editorial Mark: To E. A. Hoyt Dec.? 1969.
Document Type: Letter to former student Mr. Edward A. Hoyt.
Pages: 81-89(¶2).
Date: September 1969.
Box & Folder: EAH 3.

Editorial Mark: C. red d (4).
Document Type: Unmailed letter.
Pages: 89(¶3)-90.
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 28:3.

Chapter 9.  The “Presupposition” of Universals.
Editorial Mark: M. red s (3).
Document Type: Notes.
Pages: 91-92(¶2).
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 27:24.

Editorial Mark: C. red i (4).
Document Type: Unmailed letter to Professor of Philosophy Alburey Castell of the University of Minnesota.
Pages: 92(¶3)-102(¶2).
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 28:8.

Editorial Mark: C. 1975? red c (2).
Document Type: Essay draft.
Pages: 102(¶3).
Date: 1975?
Box & Folder: MP 25:17.

Chapter 10.  The Form of the Actual.
Editorial Mark: F. 1/15/49 a (2).
Document Type: Essay draft.
Pages: 103-05(¶2).
Date: 15 January 1949.
Box & Folder: MP 3:16.

Editorial Mark: 1970s a C. (red g) (2).
Document Type: Essay draft.
Pages: 105(¶3)-09(amidst ¶3 “. . .become impossible.”).
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 25:21.

Editorial Mark: To GPB.
Document Type: Letter to former student Mr. George P. Brockway.
Pages: 109(amidst¶ 3 “One of the standing. . .”)-10.
Date: 5 December 1974.
Box & Folder: MP 31:3.

Chapter 11.  The Actuality of Ignorance.
Editorial Mark: CAS-G.
Document Type: Letter to Professor of Philosophy Alburey Castell of the University of Minnesota.
Pages: 111-17.
Date: May 1972?
Box & Folder: MP 20:7.
Remarks: My estimation of the date.

Chapter 12.  The Constitutionally Incomplete.
Editorial Mark: X. red a (3).
Document Type: Notes.
Pages: 118-26.
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 27:27.

Chapter 13.  Facts and Artifacts.
Editorial Mark: C. red b (4) d [Nov. ‘74 GPB].
Document Type: Unmailed letter to former student Mr. George P. Brockway.
Pages: 127-40(amidst ¶1 “. . . nonparticular universal.”).
Date: November 1974.
Box & Folder: MP 28:1.

Editorial Mark: C. red b (4) c.
Document Type: Unmailed letter to former student Mr. George P. Brockway.
Pages: 140(amidst ¶1 “Functioning objects. . .”)-41(¶3).
Date: November 1974.
Box & Folder: MP 28:1.
Remarks:  Fragment of same letter to former student Mr. George P. Brockway.

Editorial Mark: X. a (3).
Document Type: Notes.
Pages: 141(¶4)-43.
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 27:27.

Chapter 14.  Matter.
Editorial Mark: K. red b 1975? (4).
Document Type: Unmailed letter to former student Mr. George P. Brockway.
Pages: 144-45(¶2).
Date: 1975?
Box & Folder: MP 29:16.

Editorial Mark: CAS 7/-/72.
Document Type: Letter to Professor of Philosophy Alburey Castell of the University of Minnesota.
Pages: 145(¶3)-53.
Date: July 1972.
Box & Folder: MP 21:1.

Chapter 15.  A Few Outlines.

Outline 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

i.  Language.
Editorial Mark: C-H 1950-52 a (2-3).
Document Type: Essay draft and notes.
Pages: 154.
Date: 1950-53.
Box & Folder: MP 4:13.
Remarks:  The correct editorial mark is indicated on the folder, G-H 1950-52 a (2-3).

ii.  Symbols.
Editorial Mark: M. 1954-55 a (3).
Document Type: Notes.
Pages: 154-56.
Date: 23 March 1955.
Box & Folder: MP 14:12.

iii.  Signs.
Editorial Mark: C-H 1950-52 a (2-3).
Document Type: Essay draft and notes.
Pages: 156-58.
Date: 1950-53.
Box & Folder: MP 4:13.
Remarks:  The correct editorial mark is indicated on the folder, G-H 1950-52 a (2-3).

iv.  The Cognitive Datum.
Editorial Mark: C. 3/10/56 (3).
Document Type: Notes.
Pages: 158-62.
Date: May 1956.
Box & Folder: MP 14:14
Remarks: Notes presented in a letter to Williams colleague, Professor of Philosophy Lawrence W. Beals.

v.  The Locus of Necessity.
Editorial Mark: C. 3/10/56 (3).
Document Type: Notes.
Pages: 162-64.
Date: 10 March 1956.
Box & Folder: MP 14:14.

vi.  The Environment of Knowledge.
Editorial Mark: C. 5/1/57 (3) J.
Document Type: Notes.
Pages: 164-68.
Date: 9 March 1957.
Box & Folder: MP 15:2.
Remarks: Notes intended for former student Mr.Marvin R.Weinstein.

vii.  Analysis.
Editorial Mark: M 1954-55 a (3).
Document Type: Notes.
Pages: 168-69.
Date: 1954-55.
Box & Folder: MP 14:12.

viii.  A General Guide to a Modern and Historical Philosophy.
Editorial Mark: M. red c 1975? (2).
Document Type: Essay draft.
Pages: 169-70.
Date: 1975?
Box & Folder: MP 24:6.

Chapter 16.  A Few Paragraphs.

Paragraph 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Paragraph 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

i.  One Culture.
Editorial Mark: C. red g (4).
Document Type: Unmailed letter.
Pages: 171.
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 28:6.

ii.  Possibility.
Editorial Mark: F. 7/27/33 a (3).
Document Type: Notes.
Pages: 171.
Date: 3 February 1960.
Box & Folder: MP 9:12.

iii.  Revelation.
Editorial Mark: M. ar (2).
Document Type: Essay draft.
Pages: 171.
Date: 1960s?
Box & Folder: MP 8:5.

iv.  The Past.
Editorial Mark: M. ar (2).
Document Type: Essay draft.
Pages: 172.
Date: 1960s?
Box & Folder: MP 8:5.

v.  Induction.
Editorial Mark: H. red a 1978 (4) GPB.
Document Type: Unmailed letter to former student Mr. George P. Brockway.
Pages: 172.
Date: 1978.
Box & Folder: MP 29:4.

vi.  Knowledge Never Stops.
Editorial Mark: M. red e (2).
Document Type: Essay draft.
Pages: 172.
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 24:8.

vii.  Saying So.
Editorial Mark: M. red g (4) EAH.
Document Type: Unmailed letter to former student Mr. Edward A. Hoyt.
Pages: 172.
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 29:24.

viii.  Authority.
Editorial Mark: M. red g (4) EAH.
Document Type: Unmailed letter to former student Mr. Edward A. Hoyt.
Pages: 172-73.
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 29:24.

ix.  Physics.
Editorial Mark: M. red g (4) EAH.
Document Type: Unmailed letter to former student Mr. Edward A. Hoyt.
Pages: 173.
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 29:24.

x.  Form in Mathematics.
Editorial Mark: C. 5/1/57 (3) Ga.
Document Type: Notes.
Pages: 173-75.
Date: 1957.
Box & Folder: MP 15:2.

xi.  The Abstract.
Editorial Mark: JWM 4/25/76.
Document Type: Notes.
Pages: 175.
Date: 25 April 1976.
Box & Folder: MP 27:21.
Remarks:  The editorial mark on the folder is M. red p 4/25/76 (3).

xii.  No Data Without Structure.
Editorial Mark: M. red h (4) GPB.
Document Type: Unmailed letter to former student Mr. George P. Brockway.
Pages: 175.
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 29:25.

xiii.  Only a Little Space.
Editorial Mark: M. red h (4) GPB.
Document Type: Unmailed letter to former student Mr. George P. Brockway.
Pages: 176.
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 29:25.

xiv.  Control.
Editorial Mark: C. red g (4) GPB.
Document Type: Unmailed letter to former student Mr. George P. Brockway.
Pages: 176.
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 28:6.

xv.  Luring.
Editorial Mark: C. red g (4) GPB.
Document Type: Unmailed letter to former student George P. Brockway.
Pages: 176.
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 28:6.

xvi.  Telling the Difference.
Editorial Mark: C. 5/1/57 (3) BB.
Document Type: Notes.
Pages: 176.
Date: 1 May 1957.
Box & Folder: MP 15:2.

xvii.  Sentences.
Editorial Mark: C. 5/1/57 (3) CC.
Document Type: Notes.
Pages: 176.
Date: 1 May 1957.
Box & Folder: MP 15:2.

xviii.  Absolute Negation.
Editorial Mark: To Brégy 11/-/72.
Document Type: Letter to former student Mr. Philip Brégy.
Pages: 177.
Date: November 1972.
Box & Folder: MP 20:4.

xix.  Words.
Editorial Mark: To Brégy 6/-/76.
Document Type: Letter to former student Mr. Philip Brégy.
Pages: 177.
Date: June 1975.
Box & Folder: MP 20:4.

xx.  Rejection.
Editorial Mark: M. red j 1/8/72 (4) Bass.
Document Type: Unmailed letter.
Pages: 177.
Date: 8 January 1972.
Box & Folder: MP 29:27.

xxi.  The Defense of Freedom.
Editorial Mark: J. red d (4) Castell.
Document Type: Unmailed letter to Professor of Philosophy Alburey Castell of the University of Minnesota.
Pages: 177.
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 29:12.

Chapter 17.  A Catechism for Epistemology.
Editorial Mark: C. 1955 (2) M. 1954-55 a (3).
Document Type: Essay draft.
Pages: 178-84.
Date: 28 April 1955.
Box & Folder: MP 4:17.
Remarks: Edited product taken from two versions, one of which was originally sent to a former student, Professor of Philosophy Robert Gahringer.  See MP 4:17 for related editorial correspondence between Mr. George P. Brockway and Professor Gahringer.

Chapter 18.  In Sum.
Editorial Mark: C. 1970s a (2).
Document Type: Essay draft.
Pages: 185(¶1).
Date: 1970?
Box & Folder: MP 25:21.

Editorial Mark: M. 1/-/29 a (3) 11/7/33.
Document Type: Notes.
Pages: 185(¶2)-86(¶1).
Date: January 1929.
Box & Folder:

Editorial Mark: CAS-C.
Document Type: Letter to Professor of Philosophy Alburey Castell of the University of Minnesota.
Pages: 186(¶2)-87(¶1).
Date: 19 May 1962.
Box & Folder: MP 20:7.

Editorial Mark: C. red j (2).
Document Type: Essay draft.
Pages: 187(¶2)-(amidst ¶3 “. . . why court it?”).
Date: 1970s.
Box & Folder: MP 25:4.

Editorial Mark: CAS-D.
Document Type: Letter to Professor of Philosophy Alburey Castell of the University of Minnesota.
Pages: 187(amidst ¶3 “It is not. . .”)-89(¶6).
Date: 28 May 1968.
Box & Folder: MP 20:7.

Editorial Mark: CAS-U.
Document Type: Letter to Professor of Philosophy Alburey Castell of the University of Minnesota.
Pages: 189(¶7)-92.
Date: 1 May 1973.
Box & Folder: MP 21:1.