Gary R, List Thank you for this outline. It shows, I think, that the ‘genuine’ triadic relation is one where all three correlates are operative within the whole process. [which is why I also refer to the semiotic process as a function, where f[x]=y. ]That is, it’s not a ‘combination of dyads’.
So- if I understand this - the genuine triadic relation is as outlined, while the degenerate…actually the degenerate triad doesn’t exist!!! Edwina > On Oct 20, 2025, at 4:43 PM, Gary Richmond <[email protected]> wrote: > > List, > > Since there has been some discussion regarding genuine triadic relations, I > quickly looked up a few (of the many) Peirce references to that relation. For > Peirce, a genuine triadic relation is the logical and metaphysical mark or > stamp of meaning. It is the structure through which 3ns -- mediation, > generality, continuity -- acts in the universe. All semiosis arises through > this irreducible triadic form. > > Here are some places where Peirce discusses the genuine triadic relation and > and a couple referencing the degenerate triadic relation (I checked some but > not all of the sources); all but one concern semiosis as such; the other is > the famous quotation in which Peirce notes that "The relation of giving is a > genuine triadic relation:" > > (1903, Syllabus of Certain Topics of Logic) > > “A genuine triadic relation cannot be resolved into any combination of dyadic > relations. For example, the relation of sign to its object and its > interpretant is genuinely triadic, since if you take away any one of the > three, the relation ceases to exist.” 1.345 > > “The relation of giving is a genuine triadic relation, for it involves a > giver, a gift, and a receiver. Take away any one of the three and the > relation is destroyed.”1.346 > > “A degenerate triadic relation is one which is not genuinely triadic, but may > be reduced to a mere aggregate of dyadic relations.” 1.347 > > (ca. 1897–1902, “Logic as Semiotic”) > > “A sign is a tri-relative entity. It brings together a sign, its object, and > its interpretant. This triadic relation is genuine; it cannot be reduced to > dyadic relations without losing its essential character.” CP 5.484 > > (1906, “Prolegomena to an Apology for Pragmaticism”) > > “Thought is a species of genuine triadic relation. It involves a sign, its > object, and its interpretant. The same may be said of communication in > general, and indeed of law. Every genuine triadic relation involves a sign.” > CP 3.456 > > (1903, Harvard Lectures on Pragmatism) > > “Every genuine triadic relation involves a sign, whether it be a sign of word > or deed, or any other sort; for every triadic relation implies mediation, and > mediation is of the nature of a sign.” > and > “A mere dyadic relation, like action and reaction, is not a sign, because it > involves no mediation. But where there is mediation there is a sign, and > where there is a sign, there is mediation.” EP 2:389–390 > > Best, > > Gary R > > _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ > ► 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] . > ► <a href="mailto:[email protected]";>UNSUBSCRIBE FROM PEIRCE-L</a> > . But, if your subscribed email account is not your default email account, > then go to > https://list.iu.edu/sympa/signoff/peirce-l . > ► PEIRCE-L is owned by THE PEIRCE GROUP; moderated by Gary Richmond; and > co-managed by him and Ben Udell.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ► 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] . ► <a href="mailto:[email protected]";>UNSUBSCRIBE FROM PEIRCE-L</a> . But, if your subscribed email account is not your default email account, then go to https://list.iu.edu/sympa/signoff/peirce-l . ► PEIRCE-L is owned by THE PEIRCE GROUP; moderated by Gary Richmond; and co-managed by him and Ben Udell.
