Sign theories: Sebeok

Book chapter

Cobley, P. 2026. Sign theories: Sebeok. in: Reference Module in Social Sciences Elsevier.
Chapter titleSign theories: Sebeok
AuthorsCobley, P.
Abstract

Thomas A. Sebeok, the spiritus rector of semiotics, did not set out a strict organon of signs and a programme for their study.
Instead, he pursued an ecumenical doctrine of signs underpinned by theorizing designed to ensure the future of semiotis and its concerns. This article attempts to elucidate Sebeok’s sign theory as it is espoused through numerous writings in a long and busy career. Proceeding from Sebeok’s most explicit statement of a mature sign theory, it presents Sebeok’s theory through his forging of global semiotics, his positing of biosemiotics and his focus on species’ modeling.

KeywordsSebeok; semiotics; signs; biosemiotics; global; ecumenical
Sustainable Development Goals4 Quality education
Middlesex University ThemeCreativity, Culture & Enterprise
Book titleReference Module in Social Sciences
PublisherElsevier
ISBN
Electronic9780443157851
Copyright Year2026
Publication dates
Online03 Mar 2026
Publication process dates
Accepted25 Feb 2026
Deposited09 Mar 2026
Output statusPublished
Accepted author manuscript
File Access Level
Restricted
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-95504-1.01423-X
LanguageEnglish
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