On the Medieval Theory of Signs

On the Medieval Theory of Signs

Author: Umberto Eco

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing

Published: 1989-01-01

Total Pages: 236

ISBN-13: 9027221081

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In the course of the long debate on the nature and the classification of signs, from Boethius to Ockham, there are at least three lines of thought: the Stoic heritage, that influences Augustine, Abelard, Francis Bacon; the Aristotelian tradition, stemming from the commentaries on De Interpretatione; the discussion of the grammarians, from Priscian to the Modistae. Modern interpreters are frequently misled by the fact that the various authors regularly used the same terms. Such a homogeneous terminology, however, covers profound theoretical differences. The aim of these essays is to show that the medieval theory of signs does not represent a unique body of semiotic notions: there are diverse and frequently alternative semiotic theories. This book thus represents an attempt to encourage further research on the still unrecognized variety of the semiotic approaches offered by the medieval philosophies of language.


Book Synopsis On the Medieval Theory of Signs by : Umberto Eco

Download or read book On the Medieval Theory of Signs written by Umberto Eco and published by John Benjamins Publishing. This book was released on 1989-01-01 with total page 236 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the course of the long debate on the nature and the classification of signs, from Boethius to Ockham, there are at least three lines of thought: the Stoic heritage, that influences Augustine, Abelard, Francis Bacon; the Aristotelian tradition, stemming from the commentaries on De Interpretatione; the discussion of the grammarians, from Priscian to the Modistae. Modern interpreters are frequently misled by the fact that the various authors regularly used the same terms. Such a homogeneous terminology, however, covers profound theoretical differences. The aim of these essays is to show that the medieval theory of signs does not represent a unique body of semiotic notions: there are diverse and frequently alternative semiotic theories. This book thus represents an attempt to encourage further research on the still unrecognized variety of the semiotic approaches offered by the medieval philosophies of language.


On the Medieval Theory of Signs

On the Medieval Theory of Signs

Author: Umberto Eco

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Company

Published: 1989-01-01

Total Pages: 236

ISBN-13: 9027286043

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In the course of the long debate on the nature and the classification of signs, from Boethius to Ockham, there are at least three lines of thought: the Stoic heritage, that influences Augustine, Abelard, Francis Bacon; the Aristotelian tradition, stemming from the commentaries on De Interpretatione; the discussion of the grammarians, from Priscian to the Modistae. Modern interpreters are frequently misled by the fact that the various authors regularly used the same terms. Such a homogeneous terminology, however, covers profound theoretical differences. The aim of these essays is to show that the medieval theory of signs does not represent a unique body of semiotic notions: there are diverse and frequently alternative semiotic theories. This book thus represents an attempt to encourage further research on the still unrecognized variety of the semiotic approaches offered by the medieval philosophies of language.


Book Synopsis On the Medieval Theory of Signs by : Umberto Eco

Download or read book On the Medieval Theory of Signs written by Umberto Eco and published by John Benjamins Publishing Company. This book was released on 1989-01-01 with total page 236 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the course of the long debate on the nature and the classification of signs, from Boethius to Ockham, there are at least three lines of thought: the Stoic heritage, that influences Augustine, Abelard, Francis Bacon; the Aristotelian tradition, stemming from the commentaries on De Interpretatione; the discussion of the grammarians, from Priscian to the Modistae. Modern interpreters are frequently misled by the fact that the various authors regularly used the same terms. Such a homogeneous terminology, however, covers profound theoretical differences. The aim of these essays is to show that the medieval theory of signs does not represent a unique body of semiotic notions: there are diverse and frequently alternative semiotic theories. This book thus represents an attempt to encourage further research on the still unrecognized variety of the semiotic approaches offered by the medieval philosophies of language.


The Mirror of Language (Revised Edition)

The Mirror of Language (Revised Edition)

Author: Marcia L. Colish

Publisher: U of Nebraska Press

Published: 1983-01-01

Total Pages: 364

ISBN-13: 9780803264472

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Early Christianity faced the problem of the human word versus Christ the Word. Could language accurately describe spiritual reality? The Mirror of Language brilliantly traces the development of one prominent theory of signs from Augustine through Anselm of Canterbury, Thomas Aquinas, and Dante. Their shared epistemology validated human language as an authentic but limited index of preexistent reality, both material and spiritual. This sign theory could thereby account for the ways men receive, know, and transmit religious knowledge, always mediated through faith. Marcia L. Colish demonstrates how the three theologians used different branches of the medieval trivium to express a common sign theory: Augustine stressed rhetoric, Anselm shifted to grammar (including grammatical proofs of God's existence), and Thomas Aquinas stressed dialectic. Dante, the one poet included in this study, used the Augustinian sign theory to develop a Christian poetics that culminates in the Divine Comedy. The author points out not only the commonality but also the sharp contrasts between these writers and shows the relation between their sign theories and the intellectual ferment of the times. When first published in 1968, The Mirror of Language was recognized as a pathfinding study. This completely revised edition incorporates the scholarship of the intervening years and reflects the refinements of the author's thought. Greater prominence is given to the role of Stoicism, and sharper attention is paid to some of the thinkers and movements surrounding the major thinkers treated. Concerns of semiotics, philosophy, and literary criticism are elucidated further. The original thesis, still controversial, is now even wider ranging and more salient to current intellectual debate.


Book Synopsis The Mirror of Language (Revised Edition) by : Marcia L. Colish

Download or read book The Mirror of Language (Revised Edition) written by Marcia L. Colish and published by U of Nebraska Press. This book was released on 1983-01-01 with total page 364 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Early Christianity faced the problem of the human word versus Christ the Word. Could language accurately describe spiritual reality? The Mirror of Language brilliantly traces the development of one prominent theory of signs from Augustine through Anselm of Canterbury, Thomas Aquinas, and Dante. Their shared epistemology validated human language as an authentic but limited index of preexistent reality, both material and spiritual. This sign theory could thereby account for the ways men receive, know, and transmit religious knowledge, always mediated through faith. Marcia L. Colish demonstrates how the three theologians used different branches of the medieval trivium to express a common sign theory: Augustine stressed rhetoric, Anselm shifted to grammar (including grammatical proofs of God's existence), and Thomas Aquinas stressed dialectic. Dante, the one poet included in this study, used the Augustinian sign theory to develop a Christian poetics that culminates in the Divine Comedy. The author points out not only the commonality but also the sharp contrasts between these writers and shows the relation between their sign theories and the intellectual ferment of the times. When first published in 1968, The Mirror of Language was recognized as a pathfinding study. This completely revised edition incorporates the scholarship of the intervening years and reflects the refinements of the author's thought. Greater prominence is given to the role of Stoicism, and sharper attention is paid to some of the thinkers and movements surrounding the major thinkers treated. Concerns of semiotics, philosophy, and literary criticism are elucidated further. The original thesis, still controversial, is now even wider ranging and more salient to current intellectual debate.


Signs in the Dust

Signs in the Dust

Author: Nathan Lyons

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2019-02-28

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 0190941286

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Modern thought is characterized by a dichotomy of meaningful culture and unmeaning nature. Signs in the Dust uses medieval semiotics to develop a new theory of nature and culture that resists this familiar picture of things. Through readings of Thomas Aquinas, Nicholas of Cusa, and John Poinsot (John of St. Thomas), it offers a semiotic analysis of human culture in both its anthropological breadth as an enterprise of creaturely sign-making, and its theological height as a finite participation in the Trinity, which can be understood as an absolute 'cultural nature'. Signs in the Dust then extends this account of human culture backwards into the natural depth of biological and physical nature. It puts the biosemiotics of its medieval sources, along with Félix Ravaisson's philosophy of habit, into dialogue with the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis that is emerging in contemporary biology, to show how all living things participate in semiosis, so that that a cultural dimension is present through the whole order of nature and the whole of natural history. It also retrieves Aquinas' doctrine of intentions in the medium to show how signification can be attributed in a diminished way to even inanimate nature, with the ontological implication that being as such should be reconceived in semiotic terms. The phenomena of human culture are therefore to be understood not as breaks with a meaningless nature, but instead as heightenings and deepenings of natural movements of meaning that long precede and far exceed us. Against the modern divorce of nature and culture, Signs in the Dust argues that culture is natural and nature is cultural, through and through.


Book Synopsis Signs in the Dust by : Nathan Lyons

Download or read book Signs in the Dust written by Nathan Lyons and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2019-02-28 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Modern thought is characterized by a dichotomy of meaningful culture and unmeaning nature. Signs in the Dust uses medieval semiotics to develop a new theory of nature and culture that resists this familiar picture of things. Through readings of Thomas Aquinas, Nicholas of Cusa, and John Poinsot (John of St. Thomas), it offers a semiotic analysis of human culture in both its anthropological breadth as an enterprise of creaturely sign-making, and its theological height as a finite participation in the Trinity, which can be understood as an absolute 'cultural nature'. Signs in the Dust then extends this account of human culture backwards into the natural depth of biological and physical nature. It puts the biosemiotics of its medieval sources, along with Félix Ravaisson's philosophy of habit, into dialogue with the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis that is emerging in contemporary biology, to show how all living things participate in semiosis, so that that a cultural dimension is present through the whole order of nature and the whole of natural history. It also retrieves Aquinas' doctrine of intentions in the medium to show how signification can be attributed in a diminished way to even inanimate nature, with the ontological implication that being as such should be reconceived in semiotic terms. The phenomena of human culture are therefore to be understood not as breaks with a meaningless nature, but instead as heightenings and deepenings of natural movements of meaning that long precede and far exceed us. Against the modern divorce of nature and culture, Signs in the Dust argues that culture is natural and nature is cultural, through and through.


Peirce's Theory of Signs

Peirce's Theory of Signs

Author: T. L. Short

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2007-02-12

Total Pages: 13

ISBN-13: 1139461915

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In this book, T. L. Short corrects widespread misconceptions of Peirce's theory of signs and demonstrates its relevance to contemporary analytic philosophy of language, mind and science. Peirce's theory of mind, naturalistic but nonreductive, bears on debates of Fodor and Millikan, among others. His theory of inquiry avoids foundationalism and subjectivism, while his account of reference anticipated views of Kripke and Putnam. Peirce's realism falls between 'internal' and 'metaphysical' realism and is more satisfactory than either. His pragmatism is not verificationism; rather, it identifies meaning with potential growth of knowledge. Short distinguishes Peirce's mature theory of signs from his better-known but paradoxical early theory. He develops the mature theory systematically on the basis of Peirce's phenomenological categories and concept of final causation. The latter is distinguished from recent and similar views, such as Brandon's, and is shown to be grounded in forms of explanation adopted in modern science.


Book Synopsis Peirce's Theory of Signs by : T. L. Short

Download or read book Peirce's Theory of Signs written by T. L. Short and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2007-02-12 with total page 13 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this book, T. L. Short corrects widespread misconceptions of Peirce's theory of signs and demonstrates its relevance to contemporary analytic philosophy of language, mind and science. Peirce's theory of mind, naturalistic but nonreductive, bears on debates of Fodor and Millikan, among others. His theory of inquiry avoids foundationalism and subjectivism, while his account of reference anticipated views of Kripke and Putnam. Peirce's realism falls between 'internal' and 'metaphysical' realism and is more satisfactory than either. His pragmatism is not verificationism; rather, it identifies meaning with potential growth of knowledge. Short distinguishes Peirce's mature theory of signs from his better-known but paradoxical early theory. He develops the mature theory systematically on the basis of Peirce's phenomenological categories and concept of final causation. The latter is distinguished from recent and similar views, such as Brandon's, and is shown to be grounded in forms of explanation adopted in modern science.


Sanctifying Signs

Sanctifying Signs

Author: David Aers

Publisher:

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13:

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Sanctifying Signs presents a critical study of Christian literature, theology, and culture in late medieval England.


Book Synopsis Sanctifying Signs by : David Aers

Download or read book Sanctifying Signs written by David Aers and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Sanctifying Signs presents a critical study of Christian literature, theology, and culture in late medieval England.


Knowledge Through Signs

Knowledge Through Signs

Author: Giovanni Manetti

Publisher: Brepols Publishers

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 358

ISBN-13:

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Le centre Semiotic and Cognitive Studies (semiotique et etudes cognitives) de l'universite de San Marino (dirige par Umberto Eco et Patrizia Violi) veut promouvoir la recherche et les echanges interdisciplinaires dans le domaine des sciences cognitives, de la semiotique, de la psychologie, de la psycholinguistique, de la philosophie de la pensee, de l'intelligence artificielle, dans le but de comparer les traditions philosophique, semiotique et linguistique europeennes aux derniers resultats des sciences cognitives americaines. Numero 2 de la serie Semiotic and Cognitive Studies: G. Manetti, Preface, Introduction: The Concept of the Sign from Ancient to Modern Semiotics, W. Leszl, I messagi degli dei e i segni della natura, D. Sedley, Aristotle's De interpretatione and ancient semantics, A.A. Long, Stoic Psychology and the Elucidation of Language, G. Verbeke, Meaning and Role of the Expressible in Stoic Logic, E. Asmis, Epicurean Semiotics, D. Glidden, Sextus and the Erotetic Fallacy, M. Bettetini, Agostino d'Ippona: i segni, il linguaggio, M. Bettini, A proposito di Argumentum, G. Pucci, Terminus. Per una semiotica dei confini nel mondo romano, D. Maggi, Il segno creatore. Aspetti dell'integrazione del segno nella mitologia vedica, U. Eco, Jerusalem and the Temple as Signs in Medieval Culture.


Book Synopsis Knowledge Through Signs by : Giovanni Manetti

Download or read book Knowledge Through Signs written by Giovanni Manetti and published by Brepols Publishers. This book was released on 1996 with total page 358 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Le centre Semiotic and Cognitive Studies (semiotique et etudes cognitives) de l'universite de San Marino (dirige par Umberto Eco et Patrizia Violi) veut promouvoir la recherche et les echanges interdisciplinaires dans le domaine des sciences cognitives, de la semiotique, de la psychologie, de la psycholinguistique, de la philosophie de la pensee, de l'intelligence artificielle, dans le but de comparer les traditions philosophique, semiotique et linguistique europeennes aux derniers resultats des sciences cognitives americaines. Numero 2 de la serie Semiotic and Cognitive Studies: G. Manetti, Preface, Introduction: The Concept of the Sign from Ancient to Modern Semiotics, W. Leszl, I messagi degli dei e i segni della natura, D. Sedley, Aristotle's De interpretatione and ancient semantics, A.A. Long, Stoic Psychology and the Elucidation of Language, G. Verbeke, Meaning and Role of the Expressible in Stoic Logic, E. Asmis, Epicurean Semiotics, D. Glidden, Sextus and the Erotetic Fallacy, M. Bettetini, Agostino d'Ippona: i segni, il linguaggio, M. Bettini, A proposito di Argumentum, G. Pucci, Terminus. Per una semiotica dei confini nel mondo romano, D. Maggi, Il segno creatore. Aspetti dell'integrazione del segno nella mitologia vedica, U. Eco, Jerusalem and the Temple as Signs in Medieval Culture.


Sign, Sentence, Discourse

Sign, Sentence, Discourse

Author: Julian N. Wasserman

Publisher: Syracuse University Press

Published: 1988-12-01

Total Pages: 348

ISBN-13: 9780815624516

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Book Synopsis Sign, Sentence, Discourse by : Julian N. Wasserman

Download or read book Sign, Sentence, Discourse written by Julian N. Wasserman and published by Syracuse University Press. This book was released on 1988-12-01 with total page 348 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


ReVisioning

ReVisioning

Author: James Romaine

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2014-05-20

Total Pages: 377

ISBN-13: 1620320843

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ReVisioning: Critical Methods of Seeing Christianity in the History of Art examines the application of art historical methods to the history of Christianity and art. As methods of art history have become more interdisciplinary, there has been a notable emergence of discussions of religion in art history as well as related fields such as visual culture and theology. This book represents the first critical examination of scholarly methodologies applied to the study of Christian subjects, themes, and contexts in art. ReVisioning contains original work from a range of scholars, each of whom has addressed the question, in regard to a well-known work of art or body of work, "How have particular methods of art history been applied, and with what effect?" The study moves from the third century to the present, providing extensive treatment and analysis of art historical methods applied to the history of Christianity and art.


Book Synopsis ReVisioning by : James Romaine

Download or read book ReVisioning written by James Romaine and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2014-05-20 with total page 377 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: ReVisioning: Critical Methods of Seeing Christianity in the History of Art examines the application of art historical methods to the history of Christianity and art. As methods of art history have become more interdisciplinary, there has been a notable emergence of discussions of religion in art history as well as related fields such as visual culture and theology. This book represents the first critical examination of scholarly methodologies applied to the study of Christian subjects, themes, and contexts in art. ReVisioning contains original work from a range of scholars, each of whom has addressed the question, in regard to a well-known work of art or body of work, "How have particular methods of art history been applied, and with what effect?" The study moves from the third century to the present, providing extensive treatment and analysis of art historical methods applied to the history of Christianity and art.


Augustine's Theory of Signs, Signification, and Lying

Augustine's Theory of Signs, Signification, and Lying

Author: Remo Gramigna

Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG

Published: 2020-01-20

Total Pages: 262

ISBN-13: 311059370X

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The aim of this study is to present, as far as possible, a general description of the theory of the sign and signification in Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD), with a view to its evaluation and implications for the study of semiotics. Accurate studies for subject, discipline, and significance have not yet given an organic and systematic vision of Augustine’s theory of the sign. The underlying aspiration is that such an endeavour will prove to be beneficial to the scholars of Augustine’s thought as well as to those with a keen interest in the history of semiotics. The study uses Augustine’s own accounts to investigate and interpret the philosophical problem of the sign. The focus lies on the first decade of Augustine’s literary production. The De dialectica, is taken as the terminus ad quo of the study, and the De doctrina christiana is the terminus ad quem. The selected texts show an explicit engagement with poignant discussion on the nature and structure of the sign, the variety of signs and their uses. Although Augustine’s intention never was to establish a theory of meaning as an independent field of study, he largely employed a theory of signs. Thus, Augustine’s approach to signs is intrinsically meaningful.


Book Synopsis Augustine's Theory of Signs, Signification, and Lying by : Remo Gramigna

Download or read book Augustine's Theory of Signs, Signification, and Lying written by Remo Gramigna and published by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG. This book was released on 2020-01-20 with total page 262 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The aim of this study is to present, as far as possible, a general description of the theory of the sign and signification in Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD), with a view to its evaluation and implications for the study of semiotics. Accurate studies for subject, discipline, and significance have not yet given an organic and systematic vision of Augustine’s theory of the sign. The underlying aspiration is that such an endeavour will prove to be beneficial to the scholars of Augustine’s thought as well as to those with a keen interest in the history of semiotics. The study uses Augustine’s own accounts to investigate and interpret the philosophical problem of the sign. The focus lies on the first decade of Augustine’s literary production. The De dialectica, is taken as the terminus ad quo of the study, and the De doctrina christiana is the terminus ad quem. The selected texts show an explicit engagement with poignant discussion on the nature and structure of the sign, the variety of signs and their uses. Although Augustine’s intention never was to establish a theory of meaning as an independent field of study, he largely employed a theory of signs. Thus, Augustine’s approach to signs is intrinsically meaningful.