Theosemiosis: An essay on consilience and the perennial philosophy
Matthew L. Kalkman
Sign Systems Studies September 4, 2023 DOI: 10.12697/sss.2023.51.2.10 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | Argues that semiotics, through the process of "theosemiosis," offers a platform for connecting science and religion, and proposes that an extracted perennial philosophy can conform to a broader model of consilience that accounts for both scientific and religious knowledge across Western and Eastern traditions. |
Abstract
Can the divide between science and religion be bridged? The current article will present the case for semiotics – and specifically the process of theosemiosis – as that platform of connection. In order to present this argument a key issue that must be tackled is whether there is one underlying function within the category of religion that can be extracted and held accountable in its knowledge claims: what has generally been termed the perennial philosophy. This extracted principle must then be capable of conforming to a broader model of consilience that can contain the knowledge captured in both science and religion. A model that can equally explain the work of Aristotle, Bacon, Galilee, and Einstein as it does Moses, Buddha, Jesus and Krishna, both in an ontological and epistemological sense; and thus a modification and extension of Enlightenment principles in such a way that they can capture the western and eastern notions of that light. In this regard, seeing truly is ‘knowing’.