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Showing papers on "Semiosphere published in 2008"


Journal ArticleDOI
29 Apr 2008-Zdm
TL;DR: In this article, a commentary on the problem of networking theories is presented, which draws on the papers contained in this ZDM issue and is divided into three parts: in the first part, following semiotician Yuri Lotman, a network of theories can be conceived of as a semiosphere, i.e., a space of encounter of various languages and intellectual traditions.
Abstract: This paper is a commentary on the problem of networking theories. My commentary draws on the papers contained in this ZDM issue and is divided into three parts. In the first part, following semiotician Yuri Lotman, I suggest that a network of theories can be conceived of as a semiosphere, i.e., a space of encounter of various languages and intellectual traditions. I argue that such a networking space revolves around two different and complementary “themes”—integration and differentiation. In the second part, I advocate conceptualizing theories in mathematics education as triplets formed by a system of theoretical principles, a methodology, and templates of research questions, and attempt to show that this tripartite view of theories provides us with a morphology of theories for investigating differences and potential connections. In the third part of the article, I discuss some examples of networking theories. The investigation of limits of connectivity leads me to talk about the boundary of a theory, which I suggest defining as the “limit” of what a theory can legitimately predicate about its objects of discourse; beyond such an edge, the theory conflicts with its own principles. I conclude with some implications of networking theories for the advancement of mathematics education.

167 citations


Book
15 Feb 2008
TL;DR: In this paper, the uniqueness and universality of magic in culture are discussed, as well as universal forms of the reproductivity of intellect, and specific aspects of mythological and magical semiosis.
Abstract: 1. Universals in connection with the interpretation of magic in Juri Lotman's semiotics 2. Specifics of mythological and magical semiosis 3. Antithesis in culture and sign-creation 4. The uniqueness and universality of magic in culture 5. Universal forms of the reproductivity of intellect

19 citations


Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2008
TL;DR: It is argued that a necessary precondition for biosemiotics is communication between all coevals sharing the biosphere, which will embrace mutual custody of existing communication pathways and codes, and of common evolutionary heritage.
Abstract: Contemporary understanding of the evolution of life prefers the existence of mutually isolated lineages which are indifferent to each other, and are interconnected only through their common descent. We argue that a necessary precondition for biosemiotics is communication between all coevals sharing the biosphere. It will embrace mutual custody of existing communication pathways and codes, and of common evolutionary heritage

16 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is a contemporary commonplace that we live in a text-saturated environment as mentioned in this paper, a semiosphere that complements those biologically rooted spheres our bodies inhabit, which is a semi-global environment.
Abstract: It is a contemporary commonplace that we live in a ‘text‐saturated’ environment – a semiosphere that complements those biologically rooted spheres our bodies inhabit. The neon cityscape of Tokyo in...

16 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an extension of Lotman's pair of terms, primary and secondary modeling systems, in view of Peirce's notion of the sign as triadic is presented, with the premise that triadic signs within complex cultural processes are interdependent, interrelated and interactive.
Abstract: This paper brings Lotman’s semiotic space to bear on Peirce’s concept of the sign with respect to broad cultural processes. Consideration of cultural processes in the Peircean mode calls for an extension of Lotman’s pair of terms, primary and secondary modeling systems, in view of Peirce’s notion of the sign as triadic. As a consequence of this extension, the premise in this inquiry has it that: (1) triadic signs within complex cultural processes are interdependent, interrelated and interactive, (2) triadic signs make up an interconnected, contradictory complementary convergent whole, which is inconsistent and/or incomplete, depending upon the cultural context, (3) inconsistency and incompleteness are of the nature of Peirce’s vagueness and generality respectively, the first being chiefly of the nature of the category of Firstness and the second chiefly of the nature of Thirdness, (4) the role of Secondness unfolds through acts of selection from the possibilities of Firstness, such acts of selection invol...

15 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors use structuralist theatre and its tendency to be non-semiotic as a point of departure to address various aspects of structuralist performance including resistance to meaning and participation in a communication process, its metatheatrical dimensions, and its defamiliarization quality.
Abstract: This paper uses Michael Kirby's structuralist theatre and its tendency to be nonsemiotic as a point of departure to address various aspects of structuralist performance including its resistance to meaning and participation in a communication process, its metatheatrical dimensions, and its defamiliarization quality Although in a 'pure' structuralist theatre semiotics should become obsolete, the question is whether structuralist theatre is able to fully resist the process of semiosis Is it possible for nonsemiotic performance to stay out of semiotic space, which constantly adapts and renews its codes to accommodate new and emerging structures? Examining the scope and ability of structuralist performance to encompass both semiotic and nonsemiotic tendencies in theatre, this work tries to demonstrate that the nonsemiotic quality of structuralist performance is indeed grounded in a suppressed semiotic approach

2 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A theoretical scheme that derives a cognitive level characterization of semiosis from the definition of a suitable representation space endowed with a set of transformations is put forward, allowing to model social and environmental influences and providing the building blocks of a socio-cognitive characterization of the notion of semiosphere.
Abstract: This article deals with the problem of understanding semiosis and meaning in cognitive systems. Towards this aim, I argue for a cognitive approach, which is framed in terms of a non-standard two-factor account, and according to which both external and internal information are non-independent aspects of meaning, thus contributing as a whole in determining its nature. To overcome the difficulties stemming from standard approaches, I put forward a theoretical scheme that derives a cognitive level characterization of semiosis from the definition of a suitable representation space endowed with a set of transformations. In order to show the viability of this view, I discuss a computational implementation of such a theoretical scheme by a suitable neural network architecture. Numerical simulations show that similar representations are developed by different instances of the model as a consequence of facing a similar semantic task. This fact demonstrates the relevance of a cognitive level approach to the problem of the social construction of meaning and culture, thus allowing to model social and environmental influences and providing the building blocks of a socio-cognitive characterization of the notion of semiosphere.

2 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The semiotic approach to theatre studies has lost its cultural and academic prominence over the last decade as discussed by the authors, leading to a general assumption that semiotic schemes are strictly derived from linguistic models of signification and communication and are therefore restricted to such methodological devices for comprehending and contributing to stage/audience dynamics in performance.
Abstract: This special issue of Semiotica devoted to theatre and drama takes as its point of departure Keir Elam’s postscript to the 2002 edition of his The Semiotics of Theatre and Drama, in which he sadly acknowledges that during the last decade the semiotic approach to theatre studies has come ‘to lose its cultural and academic prominence’ (2002: 194). Beginning with this statement, the editor embarks on an investigation of the current state of semiotic studies in theatre, asking the contributors to reevaluate the relevance and the possibilities of semiotic approaches to performance and drama analysis, theatre criticism, and performance studies today. Frustration with theatre semiotics has been mainly based on the general assumption that semiotic schemes are strictly derived from linguistic models of signification and communication and are therefore restricted to such methodological devices for comprehending and contributing to stage/audience dynamics in performance. Although the structural theory of theatrical communication developed by the theatre thinkers of the Prague Linguistic Circle extensively contributed to making performance analysis both dynamic and flexible, theatre semiotics remained open, as it does today, to accusations of rigidity and sti¤ness, apparently incapable of coming fully to terms with the ephemeral nature of theatre. This volume, in addressing concerns about the relationships between practice and theory as they have been posed by both theatre practitioners and scholars, constitutes a meta-discourse or examination of the discipline’s own methodology, whereby it attempts to reestablish the significance and consequent impact of its scientific and analytic devices. In other words, this volume seeks to demonstrate how the dynamic and transitory nature of theatrical communication directed at addressing and influencing the multiple audio-visual, cognitive, and cultural sensors of its two major interlocutors — actors and spectators — can still be considered and studied from the perspective of semiotic exchange as the primary device of human cognition. As an example of Yuri Lotman’s concept of semiosphere, the ultimate space of human communication, a neverending

1 citations


01 Jan 2008
TL;DR: Applying biosemiotics principles on vital interpretation, the authors could understand both its emergence phenomenon and organism adaptation inside of medium both within and outside of biosphere.
Abstract: If Darwin investigated the environment role on species formation, than George Kampis considered that adaptation contributing to realization of unity between organism and environment. The concept named "unity between organism and environment" is not new, but it acquires the aspects of a "wooden languages" proper for evolutionism domain, if there is not evidenced the real support of this phenomenon. Adaptation contributing to realization of that we already named organism-environment unity, with resonance into genealogical tree concept. Using a modern language, supported by cybernetic principles, we have to understand adaptation as a transformation of the external medium. External and internal media have to be understood based on Jacob von Uexhull's concepts ("Umwelt" and "Innenwelt"), and that means than we have to understand the semiotic universe (biosemiotics). This is available because life is a medium full of symbols which are protected and continued, and which assures a unity of vital. Living Universe is a kind of universe composed by signs and signals, which forming semiosphere. Semiosphere assures connections between all elements from nature. Each species has its own semiotic niche. Depending on this niche, it is getting on inside of biosphere. In the same way, individuals develop their own medium. This medium, from biosemiotics point of view, were been enlighten based on interrelationships between its Umwelt and Innenwelt. Applying biosemiotics principles on vital interpretation, we could understand both its emergence phenomenon and organism adaptation inside of medium.