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Archaeology of Sign: Selected Chapters form History of Semiotics

Publication |
2015

Abstract

This book concentrates on the in the Czech context rather underestimated topic of the historiography of semiotics. Its possibilities and approchaes are discussed in the introduction.

Authors' goal there was to point out certain ways of how historical-oriented studies of sign and semiosis could be or actually are carried on. After that chapters dedicated to Plato and the Sophists follow, with the focus on the context of studies in contemporary rhetorics, trying to show how semiotics and rhetorics meet and overplap each other.

Next section offers a discussion of the works of Aristotle, with the opening study on his metaphysics and the conception of science. Then attention is paid to three works of Aristotle: On Intepretation, Prior Analytics, and On Soul.

First part introduces to the reader certain model of understanding of the role of sign in Aristotle, based on the distinction between natural sign and symbol, not being sign in the proper sense. This model of understanding is subsequently subjected to critical scrutiny.

Reception of Aristotle in Scholastic logic is also reflected. Next study concentrates on Prior Analytics, the role of sign in logic, inference and knowledge in general is analyzed together with references to Peirce's understanding of Aristotle.

In the last part, Aristotle's theory of cognition and the role of sign in it, is explained. Final chapter of the book is dedicated to the Stoics, their logic and the thory of sign, and impact of ontology upon their conception.

It refers to Deleuze's Logic of Sense, and Deleuze's reflection of Stoic distinction between corporeal and non-corporeal being in pragmatics.