Symbolization and appresentational orders in lifeworldly meaning constitution

Abstract

This analysis focuses on the role of appresentational orders in the "building of the lifeworld."Based in phenomenology and the philosophy of culture, the article contributes to semiotics by further developing some of Göran Sonesson's ideas on signs. Appresentation means that "absent"data is intended as co-present with a directly perceivable term within the unity of consciousness (Husserl). Alfred Schutz sees "marks,""indications,"and "signs"as different types of couplings between "present"and "absent"data according to one single cognitive style or "subworld."These appresentational relations contrast with the more complex "symbols,"which are couplings between different styles or subworlds. For instance, a crucifix may co-present a "Latin cross"given to everyday perception with meanings belonging to the world of religion, making it "symbolically pregnant"(Cassirer). Beyond a mere coupling, appresentation is constituted by appresentational orders, which can reflect high relational complexity. Although Schutz introduced the concept of these orders, he, like Sonesson, misses their full potential for understanding appresentation. Signs and sign-like relations (such as marks and indications), which make possible (life)worldly communication, spatial and temporal orientation, and social organization, can be further differentiated according to the appresentational orders "dominant"in each certain case. In contrast, symbols, which ensure an experience of the lifeworld as a whole (Voegelin), that connect subworlds such as religion, science, dreams, etc., are rather to be characterized by a relevance "annihilation"between appresentational orders.