Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 6.10 Definition of signals, signs, and symbols according to Nauta (1972, p. 159)
Form
Meaning
Function
Signals
+
Signs
+
+
Symbols
+
+
+
doubly indexed coefficients, a
ij
, indicate the degree of contribution of Peircean
signs to a given information carrier (IC) of Nauta:
¼
IC
1
¼
þ
þ
Signal
a
11
icon
a
12
index
a
13
symbol
¼
IC
2
¼
þ
þ
Sign
a
21
icon
a
22
index
a
23
symbol
(6.29)
Symbol
¼
IC
3
¼
a
31
icon
þ
a
32
index
þ
a
33
symbol
In general, we may write:
Ax
¼
b
(6.30)
with
2
4
3
5
;
2
4
3
5
;
2
4
3
5
a
11
a
12
a
13
icon
index
symbol
IC
1
IC
2
IC
3
A
¼
a
21
a
22
a
23
x
¼
and b
¼
a
31
a
32
a
33
Equation
6.30
may be viewed as an algebraic expression for the relation between
information theory
(as represented by b) and semiotics (as represented by x) and A
as the rule of transforming the Peircean semiotics to the information theory
according to Nauta (1972).
More recently, Debrock (1998, pp. 79-89) proposed a novel theory of informa-
tion viewing information as
events
rather than as
entities
and suggested that such a
dynamic approach to information may be consistent with the Peirce's theory of
signs. Debrock's suggestion seems consistent with the postulate that Peircean signs
are gnergons, the source of energy and information to drive all self-organizing
processes, including informed events (see Sect.
6.2.3
).
6.2.9 The Cell as the Atom of Semiosis
The following statement is often made as a useful metaphor:
The cell is the atom of life.
(6.31)
In addition, it is asserted here that :
The cell is the atom of semiosis.
(6.32)
