Outline of an Uexküllian bio-ontology
Sign Systems Studies December 21, 2021 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.12697/sss.2001.29.2.15 via DOAJ
Summary
Traditional Western ontology focuses only on human experience, but a biocentric alternative can be built from Uexküll's Umwelt theory, which expands the study of experiences to all life. Drawing on Thomas Nagel, the author argues that some life forms may be entirely unimaginable to humans, a view compatible with Umwelt theory and recommended for biosemioticians. The paper advocates for biosemiotic possibilism, cautioning against claims of universal traits in living beings and limiting statements to life as currently known.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | A biocentric ontology based on Uexküll's Umwelt theory, combined with Nagel's view of unimaginable life forms, supports biosemiotic possibilism that avoids universal claims about living beings. |
Abstract
Traditionally, ontology, or at least western ontology, bas been an anthropocentric enterprise, that takes only human experiences into account. In this paper I argue that a prolific biocentric ontology can be based on UexkülI's Umwelt theory. UexkülI offers the basis of an ontology according to which the study of experiences is a much wider field than it is as depicted by classical ontology and contemporary philosophy of consciousness. Based on the thoughts of the contemporary philosopher Thomas Nagel I claim that there might very well be Iifeforms that are totally unimaginable to us. I argue that this view is compatible with the Umwelt theory, and that it should be adopted by biosemioticians. Furthermore, I argue that a biosemiotic possibilism should be implemented. Followingly, one should not claim to know which characteristics of living beings are universally and necessarily valid, but restrict oneself to statements about life as we know it.