Edwina, List,
I am sorry that I had understood you in the way I did, that is, I had thought, that you thought that categories merely apply to classification. I guess, this misunderstanding of mine has to do with my use of some terms, e.g., when I would say that a sign is firstness, it is justified to say: No, it may be firstness (qualisign), but also secondness (sinsign), or thirdness (legisign). Or maybe it was the other way around, like, if I say, a legisign is thirdness, a justified reply might be: No, the sign is firstness. I don´t remember what exactly it was, but somehow I got this wrong idea of you applying the categories only to classification. I know, you didn´t use the term "classification", but something with "modes" or "modal". I was reluctant of this term, because for me a mode is something you can switch on and off, so I introduced the "composition" versus "classification" distinction, I had adopted from Stanley N. Salthe, although he did not say "classification" either, but "subsumption". "Either or quali-, sin-, legisign" is classification, and "Sign, object and interpretant" composition. I think, to both apply the categories 1, 2, and 3. Composition itself is firstness, I think, and classification itself is 3ness. So, what is the secondness in between, I think it is determination. Composition, determination, and classification in my view form the relation triad, just like sign, object, interpretant form the sign triad. Now you can say, that a sign is a relation, and a relation is a sign, so it may be seen just as a renaming, for the use of analysing not a sign in general, but a structure of a system.
Best regards
Helmut
Gesendet: Samstag, 21. Juni 2025 um 14:27
Von: "Edwina Taborsky" <[email protected]>
An: "Helmut Raulien" <[email protected]>
Betreff: Re: [PEIRCE-L] Types of sign action
A further comment on semiosis and ‘classification’. I’ll note that for Peirce, “the explanation of the phenomenon lies in the fact that the entire universe - not merely the universe of existents, but all that wider universe, embracing the universe of existents as a part the universe which we are all accustomed to refer to as ’the truth’ - that all this universe is perfused with signs if it is not composed exclusively of signs” 5.449n.
Now -given this excerpt, that the whole universe is composed of signs [plural],- my conclusion is that semiosis is the basic analytic ’tool’ of the phaneron…The focus becomes: how do signs develop, interact, function? What do they do? Indeed - even, WHY are signs? And I note that the ’signs’ which Peirce refers to are complex, in that they are composed of three correlates, which do not function or even exist separately but in distinct relations with each other.
As an analytic tool, the task is not simply classification, which is, as Peirce also noted, a form of measurement, but analysis of the function [pragmaticism] of these phenomena. And for this, we need to acknowledge that the basic unit of the universe, the triadic sign, is complex. Not complicated.
Again, complexity means that the entity cannot be reduced to its parts; and complicated, is a mechanical reduction to parts. [Therefore, as complex, the Sign is not A + B+ C]
A complex system is explained by Peirce, is operative within three ‘modes of being’, the famous Categories’…in all their genuine and degenerate forms. And, as Peirce also pointed out, these insert restrictions of processing and functionality into the phenomena of the world - eg - that a possible {1ns] can only produce a possible [1ns]. The concept of barriers, of restrictions of processing and function is, I think, very important. It enables continuity of form and interaction..vs the entropy of chaos.
Therefore in conclusion, I think that the analysis of the complex nature and function of the Sign - which requires analysis of the results of the Categories in the sign existence and action..is a major focus.
Edwina
On Jun 20, 2025, at 11:17 AM, Edwina Taborsky <[email protected]> wrote:
Helmut, listI do indeed say that the TERM of ’sign’ can mean both the mediate correlate [ aka the representamen] AND the full triad. It all depends on the context of the discussion.But I most certainly do not say that the categories are merely applicable for ‘classification’. I’m not very interested in ‘classification’. The categories, as Peirce is quite clear - are about the operative functionality of the data/information. That is - is the data functioning in a mode of ‘quality’, wholeness [ 1ns, Firstness]; or is it functioning in a reactive , discrete mode [2ns, Secondness]..or, is it functioning in a general mode [3ns, Thirdness]. See 1.23-24 and on and on - all throughout his work. This analysis of data functionality is, to me, the basis of the Peircean categories.Here’s also a difference, I think, between something that is complex, and something that is complicated. The former can’t be reduced to its parts, while the latter, as mechanical, can be reduced to its parts.And so, it is also informative to consider Peirce’s outline of relations within the triad [ see 1.555 and on] . In this outline, I think the interactions are complex because of the functioning of the categories.Edwina
On Jun 19, 2025, at 4:42 PM, Helmut Raulien <[email protected]> wrote:
Edwina, Jon, List,in my post before, I have sketched an outline, that is in accord with Edwina´s claim, that the sign is the triad too, but contradicts Edwina´s claim, that categories merely apply to classification ("modes" or "modality"). My outline also contradicts Jon´s claim, that the sign is merely a correlate, but not the whole triad. My view is intendes to make the theory of complexity less complicated, like an Ockham-razor, so I hope. Whether this complexity reduction is a justified one, or not justified, as many other complexity reductions are, is the question. Or, I would say: Complexity-reductions mostly are not helpful, but complicatedness-reductions may well be. My intention is to show complexity as less complicated, and to look for rules of it`s as simple and general as possible. The only hard-to-accept thing about my outline is the counter-intuitive claim of re-entry in a relational/ functional composition. With this re-enty concept, both is true: The sign is a correlate of three, and also it is the triad. Logically, I would say: The proposition "A=A+B+C" does not contradict classical logic, because it does not mean "A and not A". So I think, that if we get acquainted with the said re-entry concept of relational or functional composition, we at last are able to end some before-endless (seeming) quibbles, so I hope.Best regardsHelmutLast time.Gesendet: Donnerstag, 19. Juni 2025 um 19:20Von: "Edwina Taborsky" <[email protected]>An: [email protected], "Jon Alan Schmidt" <[email protected]>CC: "Edwina Taborsky" <[email protected]>Betreff: Re: [PEIRCE-L] Types of sign action1] You are the one who is using the categorical terms of 1ns, 2ns, 3ns in your outline. Why are you using these terms if you declare you are not talking about the categorical modes?2] Peirce constantly uses the terms of ‘relation’ when he is discussing the triadic nature of the Sign.. [Note: See Robert Maerty’s ' 75 definitions of the Sign'.“A sign is anything which is related to a Second thing, its Object, in resect to a Quality, in such a way as to bring a Third thing, its interpretant, into relation to this same Object. [1902; 2:92 ; my emphasis]“A sign, or Representamen, is a First, which stands in such a genuine triadic relation to a Second, called its Object, as to be capable of determining a Third, called its Interpretant, to assume the same triadic relation…[1902: 2.274. my emphasis].And I note - the terms of First, Second, Third, do NOT refer to categorical 1ns, 2ns, 3ns, but are ordinal references.3] The point is - the Sign is not reducible to the Representamen alone. It is irreducible in that it exists only as a triad of relations.That is Peirce uses the term of ‘’sign’ often to refer to the Representamen and also to the triad .“A sign therefore is an object which is in relation to its object on the one hand and to an interpretant on the other…[1904. 8.832]. My emphasis“It is difficult to define a sign in general. It is something which is in such a relation to an object that it determines, or might determine, another sign of the same object…A sign has essentially two correlates, its object and its possible Interpretant sign. Of these three, Sign, Object and Interpretant, the sign as being the very thing under consideration is Monadic, the Object is Dyadic, and the Interpretant is Triadic..”1905. MS 939.“A sign may be defined as something [ not necessarily existent] which is so determined by a second something called its Object that it will tend in its turn to determined a third something called its Ingerpretangt…[1906. MS292].“The object and the interpretant are thus merely the two correlates of the sign’ [1907 MS 318].And I note that a create is in a RELATIONSHIP“Signs, the only things with which a human being can, without derogation, consent to have any transaction, being a sign himself, are triadic” 1909 6.344]. [I note the phrase..thag a human being is a Sign!!!!]Again, this views the sign as a triad. ..and not just to ’the first correlate’.Where does Peirce refer only to the Represnetmen as a sign? Try where he is outlining the relations between the Representamen and, eg, the Object…or..with the Inerpretant..."the most fundametnal divison of signs is into icons, indices and symbols’. 2.275 1902….and the following outline where he uses the term of sign to mean representamen …eg..a sign may be conic…[Note; this is referring only to the relation between the Represetnamen and the Object..Not to the full triad]. He does this all through this section.And that’s it…..I’m into discussion but not debate.Edwina_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ARISBE: THE PEIRCE GATEWAY is now at https://cspeirce.com and, just as well, at https://www.cspeirce.com . It'll take a while to repair / update all the links! ► PEIRCE-L subscribers: Click on "Reply List" or "Reply All" to REPLY ON PEIRCE-L to this message. PEIRCE-L posts should go to [email protected] . ► To UNSUBSCRIBE, send a message NOT to PEIRCE-L but to [email protected] with UNSUBSCRIBE PEIRCE-L in the SUBJECT LINE of the message and nothing in the body. More at https://list.iu.edu/sympa/help/user-signoff.html . ► PEIRCE-L is owned by THE PEIRCE GROUP; moderated by Gary Richmond; and co-managed by him and Ben Udell.
On Jun 19, 2025, at 12:32 PM, Jon Alan Schmidt <[email protected]> wrote:
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Edwina, List:ET: You have a view of the categories which seems, to me, ungrounded in his writings.You have a view of the categories which seems, to me, extremely narrow. You apparently limit them to one specific application--trichotomies for classifying signs. Peirce employs them much more broadly--they permeate his entire system of thought.ET: Would you provide me with his outline where he writes that a triad with a DO correlate in 2ns produces a Representamen in 1ns and Interpretants operative in 3ns?Of course not, because I am not making any such claim--again, I am not talking about the "categorical modes" in which the correlates and their relations are "operative." Why do you keep insisting otherwise? As I have stated twice before, I agree with you that a qualisign (sign itself is possible/1ns) cannot be an argument (sign's relation to final interpretant is necessitant/3ns). That has absolutely nothing to do with phaneroscopic analysis of the genuine triadic relation of mediating, which aligns the sign with 1ns (genuine only), the object with 2ns (genuine and degenerate), and the interpretant with 3ns (genuine, degenerate, and doubly degenerate).ET: I think we are back to quibbling over terminology purity.It is not just about terminology, it is about the underlying concepts.ET: There is only one relationship within the Representamen; - that ‘in itself’, whereas in the Object, there are two - the Dynamic and Immediate’.This exhibits additional confusion--the dynamic object and immediate object are not two relations, they are two correlates. Likewise, the final interpretant, dynamical interpretant, and immediate interpretant are not three relations, they are three correlates.ET: And I think one has to be clear of the meaning of ’sign’..where in some parts of Peirce’s work, he means this to refer to only the Representamen and at other times, to the whole triad. The refusal to acknowledge this- I think causes a lot of analytic problems.Would you provide me with his texts where he explicitly uses the term "sign" to refer to "the whole triad" instead of its first correlate? Of course not, because there are no such texts, as we conclusively established several months ago (https://list.iu.edu/sympa/arc/peirce-l/2024-09/msg00048.html). The refusal to acknowledge this, I think, causes a lot of analytic problems.Regards,Jon Alan Schmidt - Olathe, Kansas, USAStructural Engineer, Synechist Philosopher, Lutheran ChristianOn Thu, Jun 19, 2025 at 7:56 AM Edwina Taborsky <[email protected]> wrote:JAS,listI don’t think that you can logically conclude that because I say that I don’t understand Gary R’s vector analysis, that I also don’t understand ‘any application of Peirce’s phaneroscopic categories. Understanding the one does not logically include/exclude the other.Furthermore - I don’t define the Pericean categories as merely for 1903 ’sign classification’ - but- my outlines of the categories show that they are the basis for his analysis of semiosic and phaneroscopic functionality.And I don’t get your pointThe point here is that once phaneroscopic analysis of the genuine triadic relation of mediating aligns the sign with 1ns, the object with 2ns, and the interpretant with 3ns, the directionality of the real and continuous process of semiosis--always from the object through the sign toward the interpretant--conforms to his vector of determination (2ns→1ns→3ns).How can you do such a thing? Your reliance on ’phaneroscopic analysis’ as the utltimate authority doesn’t provide enough information for such an assertion - which nullifies the functionality of the categories. You have a view of the categories which seems, to me, ungrounded in his writings. Would you provide me with his outline where he writes that a triad with a DO correlate in 2ns produces a Representamen in 1ns and Interpretants operative in 3ns?I am aware of your previous temporal analysis. You say that it is ‘different but equally valid’ - and I continue to disagree with such a conclusion.EdwinaOn Thu, Jun 19, 2025 at 8:07 AM Edwina Taborsky <[email protected]> wrote:JAS, Helmut, listI think were are back to quibbling over terminology purity…..I agree with Helmut that the sign [ aka Representamen] is, as a correlate. [aka an integral member] of the triad, ..is a relation - because it functions as a relationship!!I also disagree with your assertion that it is, as the First correlate of the operative semiotic process….also the ’simplest’ which you define within the categorical definition - an error, I maintain. There is only one relationship within the Representamen; - that ‘in itself’, whereas in the Object, there are two - the Dynamic and Immediate’..and …but I note that the categories can operate ‘freely’ in them…And I think one has to be clear of the meaning of ’sign’..where in some parts of Peirce’s work, he means this to refer to only the Representamen and at other times, to the whole triad. The refusal to acknowledge this- I think causes a lot of analytic problems.
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