Sign, Textuality, WorldIndiana University Press, 1992 - 264 pages Sign, Textuality, World is an explication of Charles Sanders Peirce in the context of current intellectual concerns, including post-structuralism, science and the philosophy of science, and various notions of textualism, rhetoric, and theories of fictionality. Part I contrasts Peircean semiotics with Saussurean semiology, while examining both in terms of the contemporary discourse in the philosophy of science, logic, and mathematics. Part II uses key Peircean ideas in a general critique of three important texts: Jean-Francois Lyotard's The Postmodern Condition, Christopher Norris's Contest of Faculties, and Thomas Pavel's Fictional Worlds. Part III is a brilliant investigation of the work of Group Mu, in the light of the use of metaphors and models in Western thought, with emphasis on the age-old notion of language as a picture-mirror-model representing the world. Peirce's signifying process, semiosis, is shown to be an enabling mediator and moderator in the construction of a pluralism of "semiotically real" worlds, which, rather than "representing" the "real," enjoys a greater or lesser degree of commensurability with it. Thus Merrell emphasizes the relevance of Peirce's philosophy, logic, and cosmology--all signs. For him, as for Peirce, the idea of semiosis cannot be divorced from the pragmatics of concrete human interaction. |
Contents
Two The Consortium of Signs | 39 |
Singularities or Mere Unthinkables? | 74 |
Three | 84 |
Copyright | |
6 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
abstract according actually appears argues argument attempt become believe calls classical comparable complete conceived concept consciousness Consequently considered consists constructed context continuous contrast critical culture determinate difference distinction effectively entails entire example exists experience fact fiction formulation framework given Group hand hence human icon idea ideal implies individual infinite interpretation knowledge language least light limited linguistic logic Lyotard mathematics matter meaning merely metaphor mind myth narrative nature never notion object observation once paradox particular Peirce Peirce's perhaps perspective philosophy physical position possible postmodern potentially present Press problem question reality reason reference regarding relations relatively remains respect rhetoric rules Saussure scientific semantic semiotics sense sentences sort space speaking structure suggests texts theory things thinking thought traditional true truth ultimately universe whole