Cell Language Theory, The: Connecting Mind And Matter

Biosemiotics 285

“6x9” b2861 The Cell Language Theory: Connecting Mind and Matter

Figure 6.8 Division of semiosis into two branches based on the physical (or quantitative)

size of sign processors.

Macrosemiosis (8)

Semiosis

(1)

Microsemiosis (9)

S. Peirce (1839–1914) began their systematic investigations in modern

times [281, 294, 295]. The influence of Peirce’s theoretical works in

semiotics is so great that many contemporary semioticians may regard

semiotics as synonymous with the theory of signs formulated and devel-

oped by Peirce. I think such a view is unjustified and short-sighted.

Since semiosis is a universal process that must have been going on

since the beginning of the human history (by one account even from

before the Big Bang [7, pp. 154–163]) and will continue to do so far

into the cosmological future, no single individual, including Peirce and

Poinsot (1589–1644) [281], can be expected to develop a complete

theory of semiosis in their lifetimes. To support this conclusion, we can

cite the formulation of microsemiotics in 1997 [20–23]. Microsemiotics

(i.e., the study of sign processes mediated by molecules as carriers of

Table 6.12 The division of sign processes based on the nature (quality) and

the physical size (quantity) of sign processors.

Sign Process Sign Processor Size of Sign Processors

1. Semiosis The Universe Macroscopic


2. Physiosemiosis Non-living systems Macroscopic


3. Biosemiosis Living systems Macroscopic or microscopic


4. Anthroposemiosis Homo sapiens Macroscopic


5. Phytosemiosis Plants Macroscopic


6. Zoösemiosis Animals Macroscopic


7. Cytosemiosis Cells Microscopic


8. Macrosemiosis Macroscopic systems Macroscopic


9. Microsemiosis Microscopic systems Microscopic

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