Until now we have been able to talk about Semiosis without using too obscure semiotic language. When we move from the 10 Stages of Semiosis to the 15 Signs, we must begin using semiotic terms.
From now on the three categories will be central to our understanding. If these categories are not familiar to you, you can read my post on them below:
From now on I assume that you have at least some familiarity with the three categories. Nevertheless, the logic is simple. If you can count to three, you can handle it. The color coding for the categories is the following: yellow for 1stness, red for 2ndness, and blue for 3rdness.
Derivation of 15 Signs
As already explained in the previous posts, a sign has four periods. Each of the periods can be "filledโ either by 1stness, 2ndness or 3rdness. In other words, the structure of the sign remains always the same, but the dynamism occurs as the various periods embody 1stness, 2ndness, and 3rdness. With this simple rule we would produce total of 81 signs, becauseโฆ
However, there is a logical determination among the four periods, where the first period determines the second period, which determines the third, which determines the fourth.
This means, that the determined period cannot have โlargerโ category than the period that determines it. Mathematically this can be expressed in the following way:
With this logic we limit the number of possible signs from 81 to 15. The 15 possible signs are the following:
Diagrammatic Manipulation
We will be doing experiments with diagrams in order to discover the complete table of 15 signs. The task of filling this logical structure or skeleton with meaning remains to be done in the upcoming posts. That said, let us begin.
On a general level the movement is from 1stness through 2ndness towards 3rdness. In the most elemental sign (1111) all of the periods are filled with 1stness, in other words the sign is pure potentiality and possibility. Whereas in the most developed sign (3333) all the periods are filled with 3rdness, making the sign fully general, a sign capable of guiding and governing โ i.e. an argument.
Next, letโs pivot the table above so to better visualize the Four Phases and the Solenoid of Semiosis:
In this diagram the columns correspond to the diagram Solenoid of Semiosis, where each period of the solenoid is filled with some category.
We can represent the table above in a manner similar to how we depicted the 10 Stages of Semiosis. We'll stack the columns on top of one another according to the Four Phases. When a period is filled with 3rdness, we'll shift the column upward to a new row. This arrangement will render the phases in a vertical layout:
Next we collapse the solenoids to squares and number them:
Finally, by simply rotating the diagram clockwise, we can easily reconfigure it to resemble Peirce's well-known triangular diagram of the 10 genuine signs:
Coloring the Diagram
The diagram appears plain; it could benefit from some color. Luckily, the color scheme is set: 1stness is yellow, 2ndness is red, and 3rdness is blue. But, the question arises: how should we apply these colors to these squares? Let's take a moment to muse and experiment. How about coloring the squares according to the category of a given period?
Based on the Grounding period, the colors would be like this:
Based on the Presentation period, the colors would be like this:
Based on the Representation period, the colors would be like this:
Based on the Communication period, the colors would be like this:
The Final Coloring
The final coloring is a combination of the Grounding and Presentation periods, layered atop each other in the main picture of this post. To delve into the reason behind this, youโll have to wait for the next post.
Thank you for reading. Iโll write the next post as soon as possible, because we have a lot to go through.
Sincerely,
Markus