Category Archives: Philosophy

Re: Sign Relations, Triadic Relations, Relation Theory • 1 A note from a longtime correspondent points out a search of the available texts turns up no use of the plural form “semiotics” by Peirce and just one place where he … Continue reading →

For ease of reference, here are two variants of Peirce’s 1902 definition of a sign, which he gives in the process of defining logic. Selections from C.S. Peirce, “Carnegie Application” (1902) No. 12.  On the Definition of Logic Logic will … Continue reading →

The middle ground between relations in general and the sign relations informing logic, inquiry, and communication is occupied by triadic relations, also called ternary or 3‑place relations. Triadic relations are some of the most pervasive in mathematics, over and above … Continue reading →

I always have trouble deciding whether to start with the genus and drive down to the species or begin with concrete examples and accompany Sisyphus up Mt. Abstraction. To start at the wide end of the funnel, the following article takes … Continue reading →

To understand how signs work in Peirce’s theory of triadic sign relations, or “semiotics”, we have to understand, in order of increasing generality, sign relations, triadic relations, and relations in general, each as conceived in Peirce’s logic of relative terms … Continue reading →

Re: Michael Shapiro • Redefining Arbitrariness in Language MS: The matter of arbitrariness in language is primarily associated with the work of the Swiss linguist, Ferdinand de Saussure (1857–1913), whose book of lectures, Cours de linguistique Générale, is widely recognized … Continue reading →