Understanding semiotics: the cooperation between epistemology and the history of semiotics

Abstract

Based on the observation of the complexity of the general science of signs (semiotics), we propose a course of understanding some ideas, which constitute this science. For this purpose, we take the history of semiotics, as it involves both the thinkers and the ideas responsible for the inauguration of the studies on the sign and the dynamic evolution of these studies. We also consider epistemological notions in our discussion. Thus, the present paper includes conceptual interdisciplinarity, showing that knowledge acquires greater consistency through the cooperation of the various sciences. In addition, we will also refer to some aspects of modern semiotics developed by Charles Sanders Peirce. This reference will serve to reaffirm the interdisciplinary aspect of semiotics, once Peirce transited through various sciences in order to understand semiotics. At this point, we reinforce the idea that there is a link between logic and semiotics. The understanding of this link is based on fact that cognition and communication are common interests to these two sciences. This paper relies on Winfried Nöth’s Panorama da Semiótica (2008), thus, it follows a similar approach to Nöth’s.