PHILOSOPHICAL
WRITINGS
OF PEIRCE
DOVER PUBLICATIONS, INC, NEW YORK7
LOGIC AS SEMIOTIC: THE THEORY OF SIGNS *
42, Waar 1s 4 S163? Tunwe Divistoxs oF Locie
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Eoheaea ne
ocie AS SIMIOTIC: THE THBORY OF SIGNS 99
0 pat out of the question. Now the whole proces af development
among the community of students of thse formulations by abstract.
{ve observation and reasoning of the truths which mat hold good
‘ofallsignsused by a scientific inteligence isan observational cence,
like any other positive science, notwithstanding its strng contrast
tall the special seiences which arses from its aiming to find out
what oust Be and not merely what isi the actual wot
‘A gn, or epresentaman is comething which stands to somebody
for semething in some rerpectoreapacity, Te addresses somebody,
that is erates in the mind of that perton an equivalent sign,
perhaps a more developed sia. Tha sign which iterates T call
{he snerpratant ofthe fet sign. The sgn stands for someting, its
dye Te stands for that objet not inal eect, but in reference
tora srt of ides, which I have sometimes called the grownd of the
represntamen. "Idea" is here to be undetstod im a sort of
Platonie sense, very famaliar in everyday tall; T mean in that sense
In Which we say that one man catches another man's idea, in which
wwe say that wen 2 man recalls what he was thinking of at some
previous time, he recalls the same idea, and in which when aman
Continues to think anything, say for a tenth ofa second, in 8 far
fs the thought continues to agree with itself during that time, that
Js to have-a like content, i s the same idea, and is ot at each
instant ofthe interval anew ids.
‘In consequence of every represtatamen being thus connected with
‘threo things, the ground, the object, and the interpretant, the
Science of semiotic has thre Branches$) The frst is calle by Duns
Scots grammatia speculative, We may term it fre grammar. Tt
has for its tack to ascertain what most be trae ofthe repesentamen
used by every siete intelligence inorder that they may embody
any meaning. The second is logic proper. T's the sience of what
js quacinecesarily true of the representamina of any scintifc
Jnteligence in order that chey may bald good of any object, that is,
‘may be true. Or say, lie proper is the formal scence of the
Conditions of the truth of representations. The thie, in imitation
fof Kant's fashion of preserving old associations of words in finding
romenclature for new conceptions, Teall pre rhetoric. ts task is
to ascertain the laws by which in every scent intelligence one
sign gives bith to anucher, and expecially one thought brings
forth another
A Sign, or Repesentamenis a First which tends sucha genuine
triadic relation to.a Second, called it Objec, a8 to be capable ofetermining & Third, called its Inerretant, to assume the same
triadic relation to its Objet in whieh it stand self to the same
Object. The triadic relation i genuine, that is its three members
sare bound together by tin way that does not consist in any
‘omplesas of dyatic relations That i the reason the Interpetant,
or Third, cannot standin a mere dyadic elation tothe Objet, but
‘mut standin sach relation toi as the Representamen itself doo,
Nor can the trace relation in which the Third stands be merely
Similar to that in which the Fist stands, for this would make the
relation of the Third tothe First a degenerate Secondnees merely
‘The Third mst indeed stand ia soch a relation, and thus must be
capable of determining a Third of ts own; but besides that, it mast
have ascond tae relation in which the Repreentamen, or rather
the relation thereot to its Object, shall be its own (the Thic’s)
Object, and must be capable of determining a Third to this relation,
AAI this must equaly be true of the Third's Thirds and so on end
Jessy; and this, and more, is involved in the familiar idea of a
Sign; and as the term Represeatamen is here used, nothing more
istmpliod. A Sign isa Representamen witha mental Interpetant
Posibly tore may be Represetamens that are not Signs. Thus, if
4 sunflower, in turning toward the sux, Becomes by that very act
fully capable, without further condition, of reproducing a sunflower
‘which turns in precisely corresponding ways toward the sun, and of
‘Going so with the same reproductive power, the sunflower would
Decome a Repreentamen ofthe sun, ot thought ie the chit, if
not the only, mede of representation
The Sign can only represent the Object and tell about it, Tt
cannot furnish aoqusiatance with oe recagition of that Object for
that is what ismeant in this volume by the Object ofa Sign; namely,
that with which it presapposes an acquaintance inorder to convey
seme further information concerning it. No doubt there will be
aders who will sy they cannot comprehend this. They think a
Sign need not relate to anything otherwise known, and can make
either head nor tail ofthe statement that every sign must relate
to such an Object. Bue if there be anything that conveys informs
tion and yet tas absolutely no relation nor reference to anything
with which the persom to whom i conveys the information has, when
he comprehend that information, the slightest acquaintance iret
‘oF indizeet—and a very strange tort of information that would be
“the vehicle of that sort of information i not, in this volume,
called & Sign
“Two men are standing on the seashore looking cat to ea. One
ef Ts eto Tt ees crn ght
Si bt nly pasenger” ‘Now, ifthe oer, himself es no Yes
{he first iforeaton be derives from the remark has for its Object
{he puto the saath he dors se, a nos him that «peson
‘pith chp eyes han his or more rained ia oking for uch hangs,
Gan see 2 vous there; and then, that vesel having been ths
Introduced to his acqusitanc, bes prepare orecsve the informa
tion about that it carrie pasengesexclsitely. But the sentence
faba whole as for the person supposed, no otr Objet than that
‘rth Which i nds hin already sequainted. ‘The Objsts—for @
Sign may have any numberof them--may eich be a singe knows
nating thing ov ting beloved formery to have existed o expected
{Denise ora cllection of such things or enon qualty or eatin
tr fact, which single Object may bes caletion, or whole of pat,
‘Orit may have come ether mods of Being, ch a some act pe
‘ited wise being doesnot preven ite negation fom being eoaly
pmitcd, cr something of 4 gneel atere desired, requed, of
[variably found under certain general crcumetanees
42, Tune TascuoroMies oF Stoxs
Signs are divisible by three trichotomies; first, according as the
sign in tel isa mere quality, isan actual existent, or isa general
law; secondly, ccording a the relation ofthe sgn to its object
‘consists in the sgn’s having some character in itself, or in some
‘existential relation to that object, or in its relation to an iater-
Dretant; thiedly, according s is Tnterpretant represents it as
‘ga of posiility ora a sgn of fact or sign of reason
‘Accoring othe st division, a Sign may be termed Quaisign,
* lige quit which ia Sign, 1 camot actualy at
asa sign unit f ebotied; but the embodiment has nothing to
fo with character a. ign.
"A Sinsen (where the slab in taken a5 meaning “being only
once" asi sng, simple, Latia somal, te) in a actual existent
{ng or event which ewig Tecan ony boo through its qualities;
fo that ie volves a quale, or rater, several qualsgns. Bot
{hese qualigns ave of peel Kad and ony form sgn through
ring ttully emote‘A Legisgn isa law that is a Sign. This lw is usually established
by men. Every conventional sig is legisign [but not conversely)
Tis not a singe object, but a general type whieh, it has been
agreed, shall be significant. Every legisign signifies through an
instanceof its application, which may be lemmed a. Replica of it
‘Thus the word “the” wil urvally oar from flteen to twenty-ve
times on.» page. Iti in all these occurrences one andthe same
sword, the sim legisign. Each single instance of it isa Replica.
The Replica is Sinsgn. Thus, every Lagsgn requires Sinsigns.
Bu these are nol ordinary Sinsighs, such as are povular occurrences
that are regarded as signicant. Nor would the Replica be sige
Fanti i were not fr Ue law which renders it so
According to the second trchotomy, a Sign may be tenmed an
Team an Tres, f 4 Syba
‘Aa Icon ea sgn which eefers to the Object that it denotes merely
by virtue of characters of ts own, and which it possesses, just the
sting, whether any such Object actually exits not. itis true
that unless thece really i such an Object, the Teon doesnot act as
‘sign, ut thls has nothing to do with ie character as a sgn
“Anything whatever, be it quality, existent individual, or lw, i an
con of anything in so fa as itis ike that thing and used as a
sign fit
“An Dude i. sgn which sefers to the Object that it denotes by
site of being relly ateeted by that Objet. It cannot, therefore,
thea Qualisign, because qualities are ehatever they’ ate independ
cently of anything ese. In so far as tho Index is aflected by the
(Object, it neceseaily has some Quality im common with the Object,
land itis in respect to those that it refer: to the Object. It docs,
therefore, involve a sort of Leon, although an Toon of @ peli
kinds and i i not the mere rexmblance ofits Object, even in
these espocts which males ta sgn, butte the actual modification
fit by the Object
[A Symbol iss sign which refers tothe Objoct that it denotes by
wrtue of a la, usually an association of general ideas, which
‘operates to caus che Symbol to be interpreted as refering to that
(Object. Its thas tell a general type of la, thats isa Legsgn
Assich it acts through « Replica, ‘Not ony sit genera itsalt, but
the Object to which it refers is of a general mature. Now that
‘which fs general has its being in the instances which it wil deter-
Tine. There must, thoteore, be existent instances of what the
oGIe AS SEMIONIC: THE TUBORY OF SIGHS 103
‘Symbol denotes although we must here understand by “existent,”
fxstent in the possibly imaginary universe to which the Symbol
{fers The Symbol wil indirectly, through the asccation or ober
law, be affected by those instances; and thus the Symbol will
involve a sort of Index, although an Index ofa peelir kind. TL
wl ot, however, be by any means true thatthe slight efit pon
the Symbol of those instances accounts forthe significant character
of the Syn
According to the thd tichotomy, a Sign may be teed a
Rieme, a Dicivign or Decent Sig (that is, a proposition or quasi-
proposition), of an Argument
"R Wieme ia Sign which, for its Taterpretant, is a Sign of quali
tative Possibility, that i, is understood as representing such and
such a kind uf posible Object. Any Rheme, perhaps, wil afford
‘Some information; but iis not interpreted as doings.
"A Dicer Sign tsa Sig, which, for its Interpretant, isa Sign of|
actual existence, Teearnot, therefore, be an Teon, whch affords no
[round for an iterpetation of it ae relrring to actual existence
JX Diesign necessarily involves, a. part of ta Rhome, to describe
the fact wlich seis interpreted as indicating. But this sa pele
kind of Rheme: and wile itis esoutial to the Dieiiga, it by no
‘An Argent isa Sign which, forts Tnterpretant is a Sign of la.
‘Ociwe may say that a Rheme is sign whlch fs understood to repre-
St its object init ehtractors merely; that a Dicisign is a sign
‘which is understood to fepresent its object in respect to actal
Chistence, and that am Argument isa Sign whic is understood to
fepresnt its Objet in ts character as Sig. Since these definitions
{ouch upon points at this time moch in dispute, a word may be
ded in defence of them, A question often pati: What is the
fesence ofa Judgment? A judgment i the mental act by which the
Jdger seeks to impress upon himscf the truth of a propsition. Tt
Ievmuch the sume as an act of aserting the propesition, or going
belore a notary and assuming formal responablity fr its truth,
xcept that thove ate are intended to affect others, while the judge
‘ment is only intended to afect onesell. However, the logician, a8
Such, coves nok what the peychologieal nature of the act of judging
‘may'be. The question for him is What i the nature of the sort
ff sgn of which a principal variety is calle a propesition, which Is
the matter upon whieh the act of judging is exercised?” "The prox104 ‘te PHILOSOPHY OF PEIRCE
position need not be asserted or judged, It may be contemplated
{sasign capable of bring aseerted or denied This ign its retains
{ts follmeaning whether be actually aserted or not. The pecullar~
Sty of i therefore, Hes in ite mode of meaning’ and to say this is
to say that its poealiarity lest ils relation to is interpretant
“The proposition professes tobe really affected by the actual existent
cor rel Jaw 0 which it refers. ‘The argument makes the same
pretension, but that isnot the principal pretension of the argument,
‘The seme makes no such pretension
15 Teo, Ixpex, AND Symon
a. Synopsis
A signi either an icon, an sides, ofa yma. An iow isa sign
which would poses the character which renders it significant
feven though iy object had no existence; such as a lesd-pencl
‘reas represeting a geometrical ine. An nde i sign which
‘would at once, lse the character which makes it a signif ts abject
‘were Femoved, but would not lose that character if there were no
Interpretant, Such, for instance, i pve of mould witha bullet.
hole init as sign ofa shot; for without the shot there would have
been no hole; bat there isa hole there, whether anybody has the
sence to attribute it to.a shot or not” A spmbol is a sign which
‘would love thé character which renders ita ign if here were no
Interpretant, Sch is any utterance af speech which signifies what
it dors only by virtue ofits being understood to have that sign
eatin,
2. Loom
White no Representamen actually fonctions as sch until
it setnally determines an Interpretant, yet ie becomes 2 Repre-
Sentamen as soo as iti fully capable of doing this; and its Repe
Sentative Quality i not necessarily dependent upon is ever actualy
determining an Interpretant, nor even upon its actully having an
Object.
‘An Jon is a Representamen whose Representative Quality is a
itstnes of tat a First, ‘That is, quality at it has gua thing
renders itt to bea representamen, Thos, anything is tt to bea
Subtitde for anything that st is Fs, (The conception of "sub-
stitute” involves that ofa purpose, and thas of genine thirdacss)
Whether there are other Inds of subtitites or not we sal sce
A Representamen by Tirstness alone can only have a simular
LOGIC AS SEMIOTIC: THE THEORY OF SIGNS 105
Object. Thus, Sign by Contrast denote its object only by virtue
of a contrast, or Secondnes, betwoun two qualities, A sigu by
Fistnes isan image of its object and, more strictly speaking, can
only be an idea.” For it must produce an Taterpetant idea and
fan external object excites an idea by a reaction upon the braia
But most strictly speaking, even an idea, except inthe sense of
possibilty, or Fustius, cannot be an Teon. A posiblty alone i
{Sn Jeon purely by virtue ofits quality; and ie object can only be
a Firstness, But a sgn may be icon, that is, may represent its
‘bject mainly by is similarity, no mate what its mode of being.
Ia substantive be wanted, a icone epresentamen may be termed
a Jypoizon. Any material image, a8 4 painting, larly eonven=
tonal in its mode of representation; but in itself, without legend
oF label it may be called 8 hypoicon,
‘Hypoicoss may be roughly divided according to the mode of”
Firstness of which they partake- ‘Those which partake of simple
(qualities, or Fist Fistnesaes, are imager? howe which represent
the relations, mally dyad, or so regarded, of the parts of one
thing by analogous relations in thelr own pacts, ate diagrams;
‘howe which represent the repreentative character ofa repreent=
men by representing a parallelism in something else, are metaphors
‘The only way of dcectly communicating an idea ie by means of
an icon; and every indirect method of cammunicating am idea
ust depend for it establishment upon the ure ofan icon, Hence,
every assertion must contain an icon or set of fons, or else mast
‘contain signs whose meaning is nly explicable by icons. The idea
Which the set of icons (r the equivalent of asc of cous) contained
inan assertion signifies may be termed the predicate ofthe asetio,
Turning now to the rhetrial evidence, it ea faniiar fact that
there are such representations a ions, Every Petre (however
onventional its method) is esentally a representation of that
Kind. ‘So is every ditgram, even although there be no sensuous
resemblance between it and its object, but only sm analogy between
the telations ofthe parts ofeach. Particularly deserving of notice
ae icons in which the likeness is aided by conventional rules
‘Thus, an algebraie formula is an icon, rndeted such by the rules
‘of commutation, association, and distribution of the symbol. Tt
say seem at fst glance that iis an arbitrary clasieation to call,
fn algebraic expression an jon: that st might as well or beter,
be regarded as. compound conventional sgn. Lut i isnot £0
Fora great distingusing property of the icon is that by the direct
observation oft other truths concerning its object can be dis108 ‘THE PRILOSOPMY OF PEIRCE
covered than those which suifce to determine its constriction
‘Thos, by means of two photographs a map can be drawn, ete
Given a conventional or other general sign of an object, to deduce
any other truth than that which it explicitly signifies, ii necessary,
in all cases, to replace that sgn by an icon. This capacity of
revealing unexpected truth is pressely that wherein the UAty of
Algetrsieal formulae consists, 20 that the iconic characteris the
prevalng one.
‘That icons ofthe algebraic kind, though usually very simple ons
cast in all ordinary grammatical propositions sone of the plilo-
soph truths that the Boolean logic beings to light. Tn all peiitive
writing, such ae the Egyptian hieroglyphic, there are icons of @
hon-ogical kind, the eographs. Inthe earliest form of speech
‘there probably was large element of mimicry. ati al langoages
‘known, such representations have been replaced by conventional
auditory signs. These, however, are such that they ean only be
txplained by icons. But inthe syntax of every language there are
logical fons of the kind that are aided by conventional rues,
‘Photograpls, especially instantaneous photographs, are very
intrstive, Bocuse we know that they are in certain respects
tenaely like the objets they represent. But this resemblance is
‘due t@ the photographs having been produced wader such circum
‘tances that they were physielly foreed to correspond. point by
point to-natare.”In thst aupect, then, they belong to the second
last of signs, those by physical connection. The case i diferent
ICT surmise that zebras are likely to be obstinate, or otherwise
disagreeable animals, because they seem to have a general rsem-
bance to donkeys, and donkeys are sll-wiled. Here the donkey
sarves precisely as a probable likeness of the zebra. Tt is rue we
suppose that resemblance has a physical cause in heredity; but
then, this hereditary affity is tell only an inference from the
likeness between the two animals, and we have not (asin the case
the photograph) any independent knowledge ofthe ereumstances
fof the production of the two species. Another example of the we
fof a likeness is the design an artist draws of a statue, pictorial
‘composition, architectural elavation, or pce of decoration, by the
Contemplation of whic he ean ascervin whether what he proposes
will be beautiful and satislactory, The question asked i thas
§nswere almost with certainty because t relates to how the artist
‘will himset be affected, ‘The ressoning of mathematicinns wl be
Found fo turn chieBy upon the use of ikeneses, which are the very
hinges of the gates of their scence, The ity of Hkeneces 9
Locle AS SEMIOTIC: THE THEORY OF SIGNS 307
ee
(es,
eee
aehyyom
etait
“This am eon in hat it makes quantities look alike which are
In analogs rations to the problem, In Tat, every algebra
truaton io alco, ino far Beit enh, by means ofthe age
Sinica sgn (which are not themselves icons), the tltions ofthe
quanti concerned. :
Tay be questioned whether ll ions are kensie or not
For example, i's drunken man is exited in order to show, by
Contrast, the excalnce of temperance, this i exainly an co,
that whee i isa likeness or ot may be doubled. Th question
ems tomer tv
Inder
[Un index ie) «sign, oF representation, which refers to its object
not so much because of any similarity or analogy with it, nor
becatse itis associated with general characters which that object
Insppens to pores, as bees iti in dymamlcal (including spatial)
connection both with the individval object, on the one hand, and
‘withthe senses of memory of the person for whom it serves as a
‘gn, on the other hand. While demonstrative and. personal
Pronouns are, as ordinarily” used, “genuine indices," relative
Pronouns are “degenerate indices"; for though they may, acci-
‘ental and indirectly, refer to existing things, they directly eter,108 {THE PHILosoPHY OF PEIRCE,
and need only refer, to the images in the mind which previous words
have eeated.
Tdices nay be distinguished from other signs, or repreentations,
by theee characteristic marks: fist, that ey have no significant
‘semblance to ther objets; second, that they refer to individuals,
Single units, single cllections of its of single continoa; third,
that they dest the attention to their objects by blind compulsion.
Bot it would be dfculy, if not imposibe, to istance an abseutely
pre index, of to find any sgn absolutely devoid of the indexical
fualty. Psychologically, the action of indices depends upon
{sociation by contiguity, and not upon ssacation by resemblance
‘or upon intellectual operations.
‘An Inder or Some (ous) is 2 Reprosentamen whose Represent.
ative character consists in ts being sn individual second. Ifthe
Secondness i an existential relation, the Index i genuine. Tf the
Secondnes is a elerenct the Index i degenerate, A genuine Index
{nd its Object mst be enistent individuals (whether things or fats),
nd its immediate Tnterpretant anust be ofthe same character. But
Since every individual must have characters, it follows that a
fenuine Index may contain a Firstnes, and so an Teon as a con
Hituent part of Any individual is'@ degenerate Tadox ofits
(own characters.
‘Subindices oe Hyposemes are signs which are rendered such prin
cipally by an actual conection with thei objects. Thus a proper
‘mame, personal demonstrative, or slative pronoun or the letter
attached to a dagram, denotes what it does owing to a real connee-
tion with ste cbjct, but none of thew i an Index, since i i not
an individual
“Let us examine some examples of indies. Y see a man with a
rolling gait. This sa probable indication that hei a salle. soe
2 bowlegged man in corduroys,gaiters, and a jacket. These are
probable indications that he Is jockey or something ofthe sort.
‘sundial ora clock indicates the time of day. Geometrcians mark
ietters against the diferent parts of thee diagrams and then use
thee letters to indicate those parts, Letters ae similarly wed by
laveyers and others. Thus, we may say: IFA and B are marsed to
fone another and C i thelr child while Dis brother of A, thea D is
Soneleof C. Here A,B,C, and D fll the office of relative pronouns,
‘bat are more convenient since they require no special collation
ft words. A rap onthe door isan index. Anything which foceses
the attention ivan index. Anything which startles us is 3 index,
Locic AS SEMIOTIC: THE THEORY OF SIONS 109
fins far it ark the junction betwoon two portions of experience
‘Town tremendous thunderbolt indents that somahing conser.
aie apposed, though we tay not know prciely wha the event
was. But it may be expected to connect Hsclf with some other
PNA ow barometer with a moist ai is an index of ai; that is
wwe sppose thatthe forces of nature establish a probable connection
tetween the low barometer with moist aie and coming rain. A
seathecock isan index of the dretion ofthe wind; because in
the fist place it really takes the seif-same diection as the wind,
fo that thre is areal connection between them, and in the socond
sce we are so cotted that won eso a weathercock pointing
fiva certain diection fe draws our atlenton to that divection, and
shen we see the weathercacvering withthe wind, we are ford
By the lar of mind to think that dzetion is connected with the
‘wind, The pol saris an index, o pointing Singer, 0 show Ws
rhc wayisnorth A spritleve, or & plumb bob, i a index of
the vertical direction. -A'yardtick might soem, a fit sight, to
eran icon ofa yard and sot would be it were merely intended
fo show a yard as near ast can be seen and estimate to bea yard
Bat the very porpose ofa yardtick sto show a Yard nearer than
ican be eimated by it appearance. This desi consequence
‘ofan accurate mechanical comparison made wth the bar in London
Called the ytd. Thus iia rel connection which gives the yard
Sick its value as ereprecentamen; and thos itis an tndes, aot
‘When a driver to attract the attention ofa foot pasenger and
cause hi Co save himself calls out “Hits fara hiss sgni-
‘ant word, it faa wil be seen below, something more than an
index ut o fara te smpy intended to act upon the here's
‘nervous system and to rouse him to get out of the way, itis an
Indo, becuse ii ment to pat him in eal conection with the
object, which is hit situation relative to the approaching horse.
Suppose two men mest upon a country toad and one of them says
to the other, "The chinney ofthat hove ison fire" The other
| ooks' about’ him and. descres a house with green blinds and a
‘verandah having «smoking chimney, Tle walks on a fw mils and
meets a second traveller. Like a Simple Simon he says, “The
Chimney ofthat hoose i on fe.” "What house?” ask the other
“"Ohy a house with green blinds anda verandah,” replies the simple
fon. ""Where is the house?” asks the stranger. He desires some
‘index which shall connect his appeebension with the house meant.Words alone cannot do this The demonstrative pronouns this
‘and "that," are indices. For they eal upon the hearer to se his
powers of observation, and so establish fea connocton between
his mind and the object; and ifthe demonstrative pronoun does
that—without which its meaning is not understood—it goes to
‘establish such a connection; and so isan index. The relative eo-
‘nouns eho and which demand observational activi in auch the
‘me way, only with them the obs vation has to be decd to the
‘words that have gone befor. Lavwjers use A,B,C, practically a5
‘Very elective relative pronouns. To show how elective they ar,
‘we may note that Bests. Allen and Greenough, ia their admirable
(though in the edition of 2577 [2), too smal) Latin Grammar,
dedlae that so conceivable syntax could wholly remave the am
biguity ofthe following sentence, "A replied to B that ho thought
€ his brother) more unjust to himgell than to his own frend”
‘Now, any lawyer would state that with perfect clearness, by sing
AVB,C,asrelatives, thus
7 a 43)
replod to B that be {A}. thought ¢ his {45}, brother) more
(a 3
unjust to himselt, Bf than to his] B's} own fiend. The termina
lc. les}
ons which in any infected language are attached to words
“governed” by other words, and which serve to how which the
governing word is, by repeating what i elsewhere expressed in the
Same form, are likewise sizes of the same relative pronoun char
feer. Any bit of Latin poetry strates this, such a the twelve
line sentence beginning, "Jom sais ers.” Both in thse termina-
tions and in the A, B,C, 2 likeness is rolied upon to carry the
attention to th right objet. But this does not make them scons,
in any important way! for it is of no consequence how the letters
‘A,B,C, ate shaped of what the terminations are. Itis not morely
‘hat one cecutrence ofan A fs ike a previous occurrence that is the
Jmportant circumstance, but that tere aw wnderstaning that ke
leers shall stand forthe same ting and this acts a a fresearrying
the attention fram one occurence of A to the previo one. A
potwessive pronoun is two ways aa index: frst i indicates the
possessor, and, second, it bas 4 modification which syntactically
aries the attention to the word denoting the thing posses
‘Some indices are more or less detailed dtections for what the
Iheaeris odo nore to place himself in divect experiential or other
connection with the thing meant,” Thus, the Coast Survey issues
Noties to Marines” giving the latitude and longitude, four ot
five bearings of prominent objets, ete, and saying deve i a rock,
for shoal, oF buoy, or Ughtship. Although there willbe other ele”
‘ments in sich directions, yet in the main they are indices.
‘Along with such indexcal dicztions of what to do to find the
object meant, ought to be classed howe pronouns which shoald be
entitled selective pronoans for quantities) borane they inform the
Theater how hei to pick aut one ofthe objets intended, but which
igrammariane call by the very indehnite designation of éndefile
Pronouns. Two varieties of these are particularly important iol,
heweersal selec, sch as us, gui, guaguan, lus, ls,
nemo, guispue,alergue, and ih English, any, ery, al, no, none
Tohatcer, sever, verybody, anybody, aaledy. These mean that
the hearr is at liberty o sleet any instance he Uke within Emits
expressed or understond, and the assertion is intended to apply to
that one. ‘The other logically important varity” consists of the
articular sletces, quis, quis, nso gui, apes, quidem, an
English, some, somaing,somchady, a, 8 cra, some or cher,
‘suite, on,
‘Allied to the above pronouns are such expressions a8 a But on,
one or hao, a fe, neal all, eer fer one ete Along with pronouns
fate to be assed adverbs of place and tne, ete
[Not very unlike these ae, tke fra, the ls, the seveth,boshinds
of, thousand of, le
‘Other indica words ace prepositions, and prepositional phrases,
such as, “on the right (or left) of.” Right aa let cannot be dis
tingusied by any general description. Other prepositions signify
relations which may, perhaps, be described; but when they rele,
85 they do oftener than would be supposed, toa situation relative
to the abserved, or assumed to be experientially known, place and
attitude of the speaker relatively to that of the Nearer, then the
indexica element is the dominant element.
Teons and indices assert nothing. fan icon could be interpreted
by a sentence that sentence must be in a "potential mood,” that
is, it would merely say, "Suppose a figure has three sides" ete
Were an index sp interpreted, the toad mast be imperative, cr
cexclamatory, a5 "Ser there!” or “Laok out!” Bat the kind of
‘Sgas which we are-now coming to consider are, by nature i the
“indicative,” or, as it should be called, the declarative mood, Of
course, they can go to the expression of any other mood, since We
‘may declare assertions to be doubtful, ar mere interogations, of
Jmporatively requisite.4. Symtot
[A Symbol is a Repreentamen whose Representative character
consists precily ints being a rue that wil determine its Tater
Detant, Ail word, sentences, books, and ether conventional signs
Ere Symbols. Wespecof writing of pronouncing the word "man
but itis ony a replica, or embodiment of the word, that & pr
ound or written, The word itself has no existence although it
has areal beng, consisting tm the fact tat existents ail conform
tots Ie isa genecal mode of Suction of three sounds or repre-
Sentamens of sounds, which becomes a sign only inthe fact that a
habit, or aoguiced law, will ease replicas of it to be interpreted as
‘meaning a man oc men, "The word abd its meaning are both general
‘ules; but the word alone of the two prescribes the qualities of its
replicas in themslves, Otherwise the “word” and its “meaning”
‘Uo not difer, unless some spocal sense be attached to “meaning
"A Symbol ia law, or regularity of the indefinite future.” Is
Tnterprctant must be ofthe same description; and o must be alo
the compiete immediate Object, or meaning. ‘Buta law necessarily
governs, or "is embodied in” individuals, and prescribes some of
{hee qualities Consequently, a constitoent of a Symbol may be
fan Index, anda constituent may bean Tcon, A man walking with
Schild points his arm wp into the air and says, “Thee is a balloon.
“The pointing ema i am estentil part ofthe symbol without which
the later would convey no information. But if the child asks,
"What fsa balloon,” and the man replies, “Tt is something like a
reat big soap bubble,” he makes the image a part ofthe symbol
FFs, while the complete object of a symbol, that is to say, is
moaning, ofthe nature of a law, must dno ao individual, nd
ont gna charocter. A gensine symbol isa symbol that has a
frneral meaning. “Theve ae two hinds of degenerate symbols, the
‘Singular Symbol whove Object fs an exstnt individual, and which
Sguites only such characters as that individual may realize; and
the Atstraet Symbol, whose only Object is a character.
“sithoug the immediate Interpretant of an Index must be an
Index, yet since ite Object may be the Object of an Tndividval
(Singular) Symbol, the Index may have such a Symbol for sts
fraiteet Interpretant, Even a genuine Symbol may be an imperfect
Tnterpretaat oft, Soan sean may have a degenerate Index, or an
[Abstract Symbol, for a indirect Tnterpretant, and a genie Index
fr Symbol for an imperfect Interpretant,
A Symi sa signoatrally to declare tat the st of objects
LoGic AS SEMIOTIC: THE THEORY OF SfONS 113,
whi is dented by whatever st of indices may be in eatin ways
Maced tos serene by an ton amited wif To
Show what ti compte debniton means, lt takes an
‘sample symbol the word "hngly" Associated with this word
Sn en ch bs the mental eet one pean loving acter
Now was to unde st “eth ote a sentence fr
Srhatit may mean by a ines anyhing not he question
et the stent, be" Ease! veh Hola” Exel ad
Heldah pst thn, Be or conan ines, for without ines i
input to dedghate wht on talking abet Any mere =
Spon would Ienve H uncertain whether they wee tot mere
“aah ina ballad; but wiser ty be oo ae nee a
Stsigete tiem. Now te ele the word taveth fe that the
faint shes denoted bythe pr of ites Kall and Hush
{Stepreted by the ion ore mage We have in os ins of &
love ands beloved =
"Te sme ting equally tae of evry vec in he delarative
rng and need of every ve ee the othe mown are merely
{cltavon of fact Someohat dere frm tat expresed by
{he'dertive mood. Av fora sou, caring the mening
‘hic it as inthe soniencey anno as waning y tale
Toot convenionty regarded ss portion of symtol, Thus the
esc, “everyman Tovs a woman eulaen o whatever
Stfuun loves tmcthing hat oa woman Hecewhateve
Batre elie not," ie a jb “loves” is &
Symbol “something hati prior sete de, aod "is
Wnt inaeybe
“The word Syn as ina seaings tht it would be an injry
tothe Lngage toads now L Go aot thik thatthe sii
fun finch os tat of raven sgn or oe depending
Sun hai (acqie or inborn eo uch new meaning as
‘um tothe onal meaning Etmotpaly should mean a
‘ng tron Cpe, stator emboli a thing thrown
Intosomating i ol an spat role) sa thing thw
Tesco collie security, sa rtor gpa) fs thing
thrown warmth an anna ite aly at Bat
the word yet the towing together iso be undrstod in he
Senor af "Co cnjcatess bt were that the cae we oght Co fd
{hae smetmes lat iment comet, «meaning fo hich
Huratue ay be sere im wan. Bot the Grek tse "throw
tiger” oa) very eel to sly the making of
‘Shtract or cvenion. "Now, me don symbol (spt stymy THE PHILOSOPHY OF PEIRCE
and often used to mean a convention or contract, Aristotle calls
noun a "symbol that is, conventional sign. in Greck, watch
fre is a “symbol” that is, signal agreed upon; a standard ot
‘ensign is “symbol,”'a watchword is « “symbol” badge is 8
“symbol”; a church creed i called a "symbol" becatse it srves
as.a budge or shibboleth; a theatre ticket is called a "symbol":
any ticket o check entitling one to receive anything is "symbol."
Moreover, any expression of sentiment was called a "symbol"
‘Such were the peielpal meanings of the word in the original lan-
guage. The reader wil judge whether thay sufice to establish my
faim that Tm not seriously wrenching the word in employing i
25 [propose to do,
‘Any ordinary word, a give," “bird,” “marriages an example
of a symbol Its applicable fo whatever may be found fo realize the
fea connected with the word; i does not, in ill, identity those
things.” Te does not show us a bird, nor enact before our eyes a
giving ora marriage, but supposes thit we are abl to imagine those
thing, and have associated the word with them.
‘Aregular progression of one, two, three may be remarked inthe
three orders of signs, Icon, index, Symbol. The Icon has no
ynamical connection with’the object it represents; i simply
happens that its qualities resemble those of that objet, and excite
analogous sensations in the mind for which i isa ikanese, But it
really stands anconnected with them. ‘The index is piysically
connected with its object; they make an organic pair, but the
Interpreting mind has nothing to do with this connection, except
remarking ster itis established. The symbl ie connected with
its object by virtue ofthe idea ofthe symbolusing mind, without
Which no euch connection would exis.
Every physical force reacts between a pair of particles, either of
which may Serve as an index of the ether On the other hand, we
shall find that every intellectual operation involves triad. of
symbols.
‘A symbol, as we have sten, cannot indicate any particular
thing; it denotes a kind of thing. “Not only tat, but iis tel a
kind and nota single ting. You ean write down the word "star."
bout that docs not make you the crestor of the word, nor if yoo
erase it have you destroyed the word, ‘The word lives nthe minds
‘of those who use it. Even i they are all asleep, it existe fn thie
| memory.” So wemay admit, f there be reason todo, that generals
Fare mere words without at all saying, as Ockham supposed, that
they are really individuals,
otic AS SEMIOTIC: THE THEORY OF SIGNS 115,
Symbols grow. They’ come into being by dovelopmelt out of
other sigs, particulely frm Seon, or from mixed signs partaking
ofthe nature of icons and symbole We thin only in signs. These
‘montal signs are of mixed nature; the spmbol-parts of thc:a ae
Called conceps. If man makes a new symbol tis by thoughts
invelving concepts. Sot is only out of symbols that a new symbol.
fan grow. Ome symone symbaa. A symbol, once in being,
Spreads among the peoples In doe and in experince, ts meaning
sgrows. Such words as foc, law, well, marriage, beat for ws very
Aliferent meanings lsom thece they bore t our barbarous ancestors
‘The symbol may, with Emerson's sphynx, say to man,
Of thin oye Fam eyebe
4 Tes CLasses oF Sioxs
‘The thee trichotomies of Signs result together in dividing Signs
Ino TEN CLASSES OF SIONS, of which numerous subdivisions have
to berconsiered._ The ten classes ae as follows
First: A Qualsign (eg. a feling of "fed" it any quality in so
far abit isa sgn. Since a quality ie whatever itis positively in
itself a quality can only denote an object by virtue of seme common
ingredient or similarity, so that a Quaisign is necessarily an Ten,
Further, since a quality ie mere logical possiblity, it ean only Be
Interpreted asa Sign of essence, that is, 25 « Rheme.
Second: ‘An Teonic Sinsgn (eg. an individual diagram) is any
object of experienc insofar as sme quality of it makes it deter-
‘mine the ides of an object Being an Tean, and thus a sign by
Tikeness purely, of whatever it may be Uke, it can only be inter-
preted as a sgh of essence, or Rheme. It will embody a Qualiign
Third: ‘A Rhematic Indesial Sinsign eg, « spontaneous cry)
is any object of direct experience so far as directs attention to
an Object by which its presence is caused. Tt nocasarly involves
an Iconic Sinsign of & peculiar kind, yet is quite diferent since
it brings the attention of the interpreter to the very Object
denoted
Fourth: A Dicent Sinsign (ea weathercork] is any object of
iret experienc, in so fat as it is a igo, and, a8 such, affords
information concerning its Object. This it can only do by being
really affected by its Object; so that it is necessarily an Tages
The only information it can afford is of actual fact. Such a Sigh
‘ust involve an Teanie Sinsign to embody the information and
‘obematic Indesial Sinsign to indicate the Object to which the6 ‘Tue PuuLosorny oP Prince
information eelers. But the mode of combination, of Sylar, of
these to must alo be significant
Fifth: An TeonieLegisign (eg. diagram, apart from its factual
indivility) ie any genera Lav type, in zo far seit requires
tach instanee of it to embody a definite quality which renders it
[toca wp in Use mind the idea of s ike objet." Being am Toon,
itmost bea Rheme. Being a Leisgn, its mode of being i that of
governing single Replies, each of which wil bean Teonie Sinsen
‘fa peculiar kind.
Sixth: A Rhematic Indesical Legisign [eg a demonstrative
pronoun) is any gencral type or law, however establised, which
Fequies each instanceof st to be relly alloted by its Objects
sich a manner a5 merely to draw attention to that Object. Each
Replica of it will be 2 Rhematie Indexical Sinsign of a pecular
ind. The Tterpretant ofa thematic Indexical Lagisign represents
tas an Teone Legisign: and so ts, ina meacure—but in a very
smal measure.
Seventh: A Dicent Indexical Logisign fe. a stret cry) is any
general type or lie, however established, which requires each
[stance of to be realy fected hy ss Object in soch a manner
235 to Tuensh deine ilormation concetning that Object. Ie mst
involve an Iconic Legisin to signify the information anda Rhematie
Tndexical Legsign to danote the subject of that formation. Each
Replica of it will bea Dicent Sinsign ofa pecliar kind,
‘Ejghth: A Rhematic Symbol ar Symbolic Rbeme fe, a common
noun} is a sign conected with its Object by am association of
general ideas in such @ way that its Replica calls up am image’ in
‘the mind, which image, owing to certain habits or dispositions of
‘hat mind, tends to produce a general concep, and the Replica is
interpreted as a Sign ofan Object tha sam instanceof tha enneept
‘Thus, the Rbematic Symbol either i or is very Hike, whe the
logicians calla General Term. The Rhcmatic Symbo, ike any
‘Symbol is necessarily tet of the nature ofa general type, and is
thus a Legisign Ite Replica, however, i a Rhematic Indexcal
Sisign ofa peculiar kind, im that the image i suggests to the
‘mind acts upon a Symbol already in that mind to give tse to a
General Concept. In this tdifers from other Rhematie Tadexial
Sinsgns including those which are Replicas of Rhematie Indexial
Legisigns. Thus, the demonstrative pronoun “that” is a Legisign,
being a general type; but it is not a Symbol, since it does not
signify general concept. Its Replica draws altention to single
Object, and is a Rhemaiie Indesical Sinsign. A Replica of the
vocic AS SEMIONIC: THE THEORY OF SIGNS 117
‘word “camel is likewise a Rhematic Indexical Sinsig, being
really affected, through the knowledge of camels, commen to the
‘Speaker and aditor, by tho real camel it denotes, even if this one
Pot individually kaown to the auditor; snd itis throwgh sock
teal connetion thatthe word "esmel” als up the idea of a camel
‘Te same thing is teue ofthe word “phoenix” or although 20
phoenix really exists, real descriptions of the phoenix are well
[Known to the speaker and his auditor, and thus the word i really
allcted by the Object denoted. But not only are the Replicas of
‘thematic Symbols very dllerent from ordinary RhematicIndexial
Sinsgns, but so Howse ate. Replicas of Rhematic Indexical
Legsigns, For the thing denoted by “that” has nt afected the
‘replica of the word in any such dirs and simple manner ae that
in which, for example, the ring of a tlephone-bel i afected by
the potson atthe other end who wants to make a communication
‘The Interpretant of the Rhematic Symbol often represents a8
RhematicIndexial Legisigns at other times a an TeonieLegiign,
and it docs ina small measure partake of the nature ofboth
‘Ninth: A Dicent Symbol, or ordinary Proposition, is a sign
connected with ie object by an association of general eas, and
fcting like a Rhematie Symbol, except that ts intended iner-
Drstant epmesents the Dicent Symbol 38 being, in respect to what
signifies, really affected by its Object, 2 that the existence or
lave which it calls to mind must be actully connected with the
indicated Object. Thus, the intended Tntesprtant looks upon the
Dicent Symbol as 4 Dicent Inderal Legisgn: and if be true,
ie does partake of this nature, although this dos not sopeesent its
‘whole nature. Like the Rhematic Symbol, it is necessarily a
Legisign, Like dhe Dicent Sinsiga i i composite inasmuch a it
nncessrily involves 2 Rhemati Symbol (and thus is for its Inter
pretant a Teonc Legis) to exprests information and a Rhematic
Fndewcal Leeisign to indeate the subject of that information
Bat ite Syntex ofthese is sghieant.- The Replica of the Dicent
‘Symbol ie a Dicent Sinsgn of porllarkind. This easily sean
to be trae when the information the Dicent Symbol conveys is of
actual fact. When that information is ofa ral law, itis net true
inthe same fullness. For a Dicent Sinsign cannot convey informa.
tion of law, Iti, therefore, true of the Replica of such a Dicent
‘Symbol cnly in 20 far asthe Taw has ts being in instances.
"Tenth: An Argument is sgn whose interpretantrepresonts its
‘object as being an terior sgn thong Taw, amely, Ue law that
‘the passage fom all such premisvs fo such conclusions tends to8 ‘Tar PLosoruy oF Petmce
‘he truth. Manifesty, then, its object must be general; that i
the Argument must be a Syinbel. As a Symbol it must farther,
bea Legisign. Tie Replica i 4 Dient Sinsgn.
The alfiities ofthe ten classes are exhibited by arranging thei
designations in the triangular fable here shown, which has heavy
Boundaries Between adjacent squares that are appropriated to
‘lasses alike in only ane respect, All other adjacent squates pertain
to classes alike in two respects, Squares nat adjacent pectain to
classes ake in one respect ony, except that each of the thee
Squares of the vertices ofthe trlangle pertain to clas differing
inall tee respects fom the classes to mich the squares along the
‘opposite side ofthe triangle are appropriated. ‘The lightly pitted
‘fesignatioas ae supertuous.
@ “ ean ea |
RRiwmatic | Rhomatic | mamma | Anrument
Teone | rene | Symbol | Symbolic |
Geatsen | terse | Lesien | Lemon |
ay wn ox)
hematic | mbeaatic | Dime
Toole | Indesca! | Symtet
Si Yecsen | Legign
avy
Dieat
Iedexieal
‘Sues
In the course of the above descriptions of the classes, certain
subdivisions of some’ of them have been dirctly or indivetiy
teferred to. Namely, beside the notmal varieties of Sinsgne,
Indices, and Diisgns, there are others which are Replicas of Lege
signs, Symbols, and. Argument, respectively. Beside the normal
1oGIC- AS SEMIOTIC! THE THEORY OF SIONS 119
varieties of Qulisign, Teons, and hemes, there are two series of
thers; to swt, those whieh are directly involved im Sinsigns,
Indices, and’ Dicsgne, respectively, and also hose which are
indirectly involved in Legisins, Symbols, and Arguments, espec-
tively. "Thus, the ordinary: Dicent Siasign is exempliied by a
Iweathercck and its veering and by a phologeaph. The fact that
the latter i known to be the elect ofthe radiations from the object
renders ¢ aft index and highly informative. A second variety i a
Replica ofa Dicent Indexial Legisgn. Thus any given street cry,
singe is tone and theme identifies the individual, ot a symbol
bt an Indexcal Legisgn; and any indvidval instance of iis @
Repl of ic which isa Dicent Siasign. A third variety isa Replica
of @ Propostion. A fourth variety is a Replica of an Argument
Beside the normal varity of the Dicent Tadeseal Legg, of
Which a strect ery fan eximple, there i a second variety, which
{5 that sor of proposition which has the name of wellknown
individual as its predicates sone i asked, "Whose statu is
this?” the ancwer muy be, “It is Farragut.” The meaning of this
answer is a Dicent Indencal Legisgn A thied variety may be a
‘remiss of an argument, A Dicent Symbol, or ardiary proposition,
{noo far ast fsa premise of am Argument, takes on 4 new fore,
tnd becomes a second variety of the Dient Symbol. Tt would not
te worth while to go through all the varieties; ut it may be well
to conser the varieties of one class more, We may take the
Rhomatic Indexical Legsige. The shout of" Hullo!” isan example
of the ordinary variety--meaning, not an individual shout, but
this shout “Hallo!” in generaliis type of shout. A. second
‘sity fs a constituent of Dent Indexical Legisign; asthe word
that” in the reply, “that is Farragut." A'third variety is a
particular application of a Rhematic Symbol; as the exclamation
Hark” Avfourth and Sith variety are in the peculiar force @
general word may have in a proposition or argument. Tt is not
Impossible that some varieties are here overlooked. It isa nice
problem to say to what class a given sign belongs; since all the
{Sreumstances of the case have to be considered. But itis seldom
Fequisite to be very accurate, for if ono does not Ioeate the sign
Dreceely, one wil easily come near enough to its character for any
ordinary porpose of ogi.