Changes

===6.9. Higher Order Sign Relations : Introduction===

===6.9. Higher Order Sign Relations : Introduction===

When interpreters reflect on their own use of signs they require an appropriate technical language in which to pursue these reflections.  For this they need signs that refer to sign relations, signs that refer to the elements and components of sign relations, and signs that refer to the properties and classes of sign relations.  The array of these additional signs can be placed under the description of '''higher order signs''', and the extended sign relations that involve them can be referred to as '''higher order sign relations'''.

When interpreters reflect on their own use of signs they require an appropriate technical language in which to pursue these reflections.  For this they need signs that refer to sign relations, signs that refer to the elements and components of sign relations, and signs that refer to the properties and classes of sign relations.  The orders of signs that develop as reflection proceeds can be placed under the description of ''higher order signs'', and the extended sign relations that involve them can be referred to as ''higher order sign relations''.

Whether any forms of observation and reflection can be conducted outside the medium of language is not a question I can address here.  It is apparent as a practical matter, however, that stable and sharable forms of knowledge depend on the availability of an adequate language.  Accordingly, there is a relationship of practical necessity that binds the conditions for reflective interpretation to the possibility of extending sign relations through higher orders.  At minimum, in addition to the signs of objects originally given, there must be signs of signs and signs of their interpretants, and each of these higher order signs requires a further occurrence of higher order interpretants to continue and complete its meaning within a higher order sign relation.  In general, higher order signs can arise in a number of independent fashions, but one of the most common derivations is through the specialized devices of quotation.  This establishes a contingent relation between reflection and quotation.

Whether any forms of observation and reflection can be conducted outside the medium of language is not a question I can address here.  It is apparent as a practical matter, however, that stable and sharable forms of knowledge depend on the availability of an adequate language.  Accordingly, there is a relationship of practical necessity that binds the conditions for reflective interpretation to the possibility of extending sign relations through higher orders.  At minimum, in addition to the signs of objects originally given, there must be signs of signs and signs of their interpretants, and each of these higher order signs requires a further occurrence of higher order interpretants to continue and complete its meaning within a higher order sign relation.  In general, higher order signs can arise in a number of independent fashions, but one of the most common derivations is through the specialized devices of quotation.  This establishes a contingent relation between reflection and quotation.