Charles S. Peirce’s concept of abduction emphasizes the intuitive and affective dimensions of inquiry, shaping hypothesizing in our reasoning. This paper explores how the Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality—specifically the trait of Openness to Experience—illuminates Peirce’s theory of abduction. Openness, characterized by intellectual curiosity, imagination, and aesthetic sensitivity, aligns with Peirce’s emphasis on feeling and curiosity in rational inquiry.
Analyzing Openness through FFM reveals two key insights. First, genetic predispositions significantly influence individuals’ engagement in inquiry, suggesting that Peirce’s ideal community of inquirers may not be easily attainable. Second, Openness evolves over time, with a decline in attitudinal flexibility, raising questions about the sustainability of Peirce’s fallibilistic conditions for inquiry. These findings suggest that Peirce’s epistemology may require nuanced considerations that accounts for cognitive rigidity in later life. Ultimately, this paper argues that the FFM can contribute to our understanding of abduction in contemporary cultural and psychological contexts.