Changes

In this connection, the designation “higher order” (HO) can be used as a generic adjective to describe a sign of any object whose nature it is to involve signs as a part of its being.  The use of this adjective is subject to extension in natural ways to describe not only entire classes of signs but also the kinds of sign relations that involve them.

In this connection, the designation “higher order” (HO) can be used as a generic adjective to describe a sign of any object whose nature it is to involve signs as a part of its being.  The use of this adjective is subject to extension in natural ways to describe not only entire classes of signs but also the kinds of sign relations that involve them.

In order to reflect on signs themselves, it is necessary to have signs for signs, a necessary supply of which can be generated by quotation.  But reflection on sign processes requires a much larger supply of signs.  Initially, it requires a HO sign for each sign transition that actually occurs, that is, a name for each ordered pair of signs that is observed.  Eventually, it requires a HO sign for each sign sequence that actually appears in experience, that is, a name for each k-tuple of signs seen.  And reflection on sign relations requires an even larger stock of signs.  It requires, initially, a HO sign for each sign transaction of the form <o, s, i> that is observed in experience and, ultimately, a HO sign for each sign relation that is encountered in experience or contemplated in a hypothetical situation.

In order to reflect on signs themselves, it is necessary to have signs for signs, a necessary supply of which can be generated by quotation.  But reflection on sign processes requires a much larger supply of signs.  Initially, it requires a HO sign for each sign transition that actually occurs, that is, a name for each ordered pair of signs that is observed.  Eventually, it requires a HO sign for each sign sequence that actually appears in experience, that is, a name for each <math>k\!</math>-tuple of signs seen.  And reflection on sign relations requires an even larger stock of signs.  It requires, initially, a HO sign for each sign transaction of the form <math>(o, s, i)\!</math> that is observed in experience and, ultimately, a HO sign for each sign relation that is encountered in experience or contemplated in a hypothetical situation.

If reflection is to constitute more than a transient form of observation, then provision needs to be made for permanently recording its HO signs.  Under these conditions the capacity for instituting and maintaining an order of reflection is just a capacity for creating and storing HO signs.

If reflection is to constitute more than a transient form of observation, then provision needs to be made for permanently recording its HO signs.  Under these conditions the capacity for instituting and maintaining an order of reflection is just a capacity for creating and storing HO signs.