Hi,
The commutative triangle model of semiosis provides a convenient method for
distinguishing between "interactions" and "communications":
f g
Object ----------> Sign ----------> Interpretant
| ^
| |
|___________________________|
h
Figure 1. A category-theoretical model of smiosis. f = sign production; g
= sign interpretation; h = information flow, with the commutative
condition, f x g = h, satisfied.
Step h simply means that no information would flow from the utterer to the
hearer unless and until they agree on the meaning the sign. In other words,
without Step h, Steps f and g can only transfer ENERGY from the utterer to
the hearer but not INFORMATION. For example, if a Norwegian says something
to me in his/her native lounge, I would not receive any information,
although his/her voice would reach my ear drums and excite neurons in my
auditory cortex. That is, the Norwegian and I will interact through sound
waves but would not communicate.
Applying this argument to biosemiotics, I would predict that
physicochemical interactions among abiotic molecules cannot carry out
smiosis unless they constitute parts of a commutative triangle with Step h
in operation. For example, the chemical reaction, 2 H_2 + O_2 -----> 2
H_2O, is not a semiosis because this reaction is not a triadic process but
a monadic one (i.e., there is only one chemical step) and hence cannot
constitute an irreducibly triadic system as all semiosic processes are.
With all the best.
Sung
--
Sungchul Ji, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
Rutgers University
Piscataway, N.J. 08855
732-445-4701
www.conformon.net
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