The Communicology of a Blank Paper, a Void That Expresses
Philosophies August 28, 2024 DOI: 10.3390/philosophies9040118 (opens in new tab) via DOAJ
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractCommunication studies often overlook how meaning emerges from nothing into something, focusing on messages rather than communicators and ignoring how yet-to-be signs acquire meaning in communicative moments. Using communicology as theory and methodology, the author traces the semiotic path by which a blank paper, a nonconventional sign, acquires signness in a specified communicative event. The paper then examines the relation of consciousness and embodiment, arguing that communication is a life-world moment wherein non-expression is collectively constituted as a form of expression.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Embodiment Yet-to-be sign Communication factor Phenomenological relation |
| Key finding | Argues that communication is a life-world moment wherein non-expression is collectively constituted as a form of expression. |
Abstract
In this paper I attempt to trace the semiotic path of meaning experience from “nothing” into “something”. Traditional communication studies are problematic in 1. focusing on the message to the effect of ignoring the communicators; 2. choosing to overlook how yet-to-be signs acquire meanings in the communicative moments; and 3. tending to assume a “natural science” attitude toward the studied phenomenon so that embodied consciousness is either sidetracked or psychologized. Taking communicology as both the theory and methodology, I first describe the semiotic network in which blank paper, a nonconventional sign, acquires its signness in a specified communicative event. Then, I look inward to the relation of consciousness and embodiment. Finally, I argue that communication is such a life-world moment wherein non-expression is collectively constituted as a form of expression.