Communication: A House Seen from Everywhere

The book explores communication from scientific perspectives, including natural, social, cultural, and rational, and presents them in a unified framework called the semiotic square. It questions whether communication can be considered a unique science and argues that it is always intertwined with other objects of study.

Format: Hardback
Length: 246 pages
Publication date: 10 June 2022
Publisher: Berghahn Books

Communication is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that has been the subject of scientific study for many years. This book provides a systematic examination of communication, exploring its natural, social, cultural, and rational scientific perspectives. The semiotic square is introduced as a unifying framework that connects all four views, demonstrating how they are interconnected. The question of whether communication can be considered a unique science is addressed, and it is argued that communication is always intertwined with any object of study, leading to its manifestations in the four scientific perspectives discussed in the book.

The natural perspective of communication focuses on the physical properties of communication, such as sound, light, and language. It examines how these properties are transmitted, received, and processed by individuals and groups. The social perspective of communication examines the social context in which communication occurs, including the roles, relationships, and norms that shape communication. It explores how communication is used to create and maintain social bonds, and how it can be used to influence and control others.

The cultural perspective of communication examines the cultural values, beliefs, and practices that shape communication. It explores how communication is used to convey and preserve cultural heritage, and how it can be used to promote cultural diversity and understanding. The rational perspective of communication examines the logical and analytical processes that underlie communication. It explores how communication is used to solve problems, make decisions, and communicate effectively.

One of the key challenges in studying communication is the complexity of the phenomenon. Communication is a dynamic and ever-changing process that occurs in a wide range of contexts, and it is difficult to capture all of its aspects in a single study. This book addresses this challenge by presenting a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to communication, drawing on insights from various fields such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, and linguistics.

The book begins by exploring the natural perspective of communication. It discusses the physical properties of communication, such as sound, light, and language, and examines how these properties are transmitted, received, and processed by individuals and groups. It also explores the role of the senses in communication, and how they can be used to enhance communication.

The social perspective of communication is then examined. It explores the social context in which communication occurs, including the roles, relationships, and norms that shape communication. It examines how communication is used to create and maintain social bonds, and how it can be used to influence and control others. It also explores the role of communication in social change and social justice.

The cultural perspective of communication is then examined. It explores the cultural values, beliefs, and practices that shape communication. It examines how communication is used to convey and preserve cultural heritage, and how it can be used to promote cultural diversity and understanding. It also explores the role of communication in cultural conflict and cultural exchange.

The rational perspective of communication is then examined. It explores the logical and analytical processes that underlie communication. It examines how communication is used to solve problems, make decisions, and communicate effectively. It also explores the role of communication in decision-making and problem-solving.

One of the key findings of the book is that communication is never separate from any object of study. All four scientific perspectives are interconnected, and they provide a comprehensive understanding of communication. This understanding can be used to improve communication in a wide range of contexts, including personal relationships, professional relationships, and social interactions.

The book also addresses the question of whether communication can be considered a unique science. It argues that communication is a unique science because it is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that requires a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach. It also argues that communication is always intertwined with any object of study, leading to its manifestations in the four scientific perspectives discussed in the book.

In conclusion, this book provides a systematic examination of communication, exploring its natural, social, cultural, and rational scientific perspectives. The semiotic square is introduced as a unifying framework that connects all four views, demonstrating how they are interconnected. The book addresses the question of whether communication can be considered a unique science and argues that it is a unique science because it is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that requires a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach. The book provides a valuable resource for students, researchers, and professionals in the field of communication, and it will continue to be a valuable resource for many years to come.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800735248