
Systemic Semiotics
A Deductive Study of Communication and Meaning
Piotr Sadowski(Author)
Bloomsbury Academic (Publisher)
Published on 6. October 2022
Book
Hardback
272 pages
978-1-350-24066-7 (ISBN)
Description
Against the background of often esoteric literature in semiotics, this book offers a fresh and rigorous new interpretation of how to approach the study of communication, signs and meaning. Grounded in a deductive theory of interacting systems, Piotr Sadowski's book provides an accessible account of the hierarchy of communication.
Divided into two parts, this book argues in the first section that a deductive semiotic theory generates communication situations of increasing complexity, from contiguous communication to indirect, referential forms based on indexical, iconic, and symbolic signs. Within this system, Sadowski explains how key concepts of the semiotic model such as information, parainformation and metainformation can account for degrees of cognitive complexity of communication processes, including the perception and interpretation of signs on literal and figurative levels. After this clear, step-by-step exposition of the theory of interacting systems, Systemic Semiotics then explores various applications of this theory, providing new insights into problems subsumed under communication studies, cultural theory, literary and film studies, and psychology.
Divided into two parts, this book argues in the first section that a deductive semiotic theory generates communication situations of increasing complexity, from contiguous communication to indirect, referential forms based on indexical, iconic, and symbolic signs. Within this system, Sadowski explains how key concepts of the semiotic model such as information, parainformation and metainformation can account for degrees of cognitive complexity of communication processes, including the perception and interpretation of signs on literal and figurative levels. After this clear, step-by-step exposition of the theory of interacting systems, Systemic Semiotics then explores various applications of this theory, providing new insights into problems subsumed under communication studies, cultural theory, literary and film studies, and psychology.
Reviews / Votes
Systemic Semiotics is grounded in the real world and delightful in its fresh exploration of the universe of communication and meaning. The discussion encompasses everything from rock carvings and body decoration in prehistory to current art, cinema, and language; it is always thoughtful and free from jargon. Sadowski opens the reader's eyes with a rich and provocative understanding of the dynamics of meaning and consciousness. -- Jeffrey L. Kallen, Fellow Emeritus and Visiting Research Fellow, Centre for Language and Communication Studies, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland This fresh and innovative study displays a very confident and provocative reading of systemic semiotics, with insightful analysis of classic films including Blowup and its short story adaptation, together with the magic of The Purple Rose of Cairo that both scholars and students will find very stimulating. -- Pat Brereton, Professor in the School of Communications, Dublin City University, IrelandMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
64 bw illus
Dimensions
Height: 238 mm
Width: 160 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
560 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-24066-7 (9781350240667)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
09/2022
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€32.99
Available for download
Person
Piotr Sadowski is a Lecturer in Communication and Humanities in the Department of Film and Creative Media at Dublin Business School, Ireland.
Author
Visiting Research Fellow, School of English, Trinity College DublinTrinity College Dublin, Ireland
Content
List of Figures
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I: Theory
1. Interaction as Communication
2. Types of Communication
3. Information and Levels of Meaning
4. Between Indexicality and Iconicity
5. The (Mostly) Symbolic Signs of Verbal Language
Part II: Applications
6. Oscar Wilde and Dynamism of Character
7. The Esthetics of Light in Early Cinema
8. Photography and the Limitations of Indexicality in Michelangelo Antonioni's Blowup (1966)
9. The Iconicity of the Pictorial Frame
10. The Iconic Magic of Cinema in Woody Allen's The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)
Postscript
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I: Theory
1. Interaction as Communication
2. Types of Communication
3. Information and Levels of Meaning
4. Between Indexicality and Iconicity
5. The (Mostly) Symbolic Signs of Verbal Language
Part II: Applications
6. Oscar Wilde and Dynamism of Character
7. The Esthetics of Light in Early Cinema
8. Photography and the Limitations of Indexicality in Michelangelo Antonioni's Blowup (1966)
9. The Iconicity of the Pictorial Frame
10. The Iconic Magic of Cinema in Woody Allen's The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)
Postscript
Notes
Bibliography
Index