The Pragmatic Theory of Signs as a Strategy for Developing Unlimited Semiosis

Abstract

In this talk I argue that Peirce’s aspiration to a “truly general” semiotics, a theory of sign usable in every kind of inquiry, overlaps in important ways with Eco’s idea of unlimited semiosis, and his idea of varying “specific” semiotics.

The best philosophy of language for pragmatism is not in fact a philosophy of language (which is specific), but an account of semiotics that is truly general, applying practically to all inquiry (often called “open semiotics” these days), while its limits are found in the limits of interpretation, as theorized by Eco.

I argue this is the right account of meaning for pragmatism, and it both guides and limits language as well as other domains of meaning.

Il seminario fa parte del ciclo “Temi echiani”.

Come partecipare

• Link al form online per prenotare un posto in Sala Rossa e partecipare al seminario in presenza: https://eventi.unibo.it/prenotazioni-sala-rossa/umberto-eco-lectures-ciclo-temi-echiani
  
• Link per partecipare al seminario online: shorturl.at/atzE1