Affect as a Sign System

Abstract

This paper explores the idea that affects make up a semiotic system. After briefly presenting a version of modern semiotic theory—that of C. S. Pierce—the paper describes affects as sign systems of biological evaluation. Each of the major affects has a kind of vertical structure from brainstem to cortex and represents an analog evaluator in terms of one of the vectors important to survival. Each affect is a semiotic system in which there is a physiological bodily response, a display via the face and body, and a subjective awareness. The entire package leads to dispositions to approach or avoid and to have other evaluative subjective feelings. In nonhuman species, affects are represented by nonsymbolic signs. Humans have, in addition to the nonsymbolic, the symbolic capacity to name and speak about affects. The paper explores the advantages and possible functions of this capacity with respect to being aware of affects and finding evolutionary advantage in this awareness. Looking at this subject from the semiotic point of view allows us to shed light on: (1) the issue of the time course of an affect; (2) the concepts of drives and affects; (3) the three manifestations of affect and their dissociation; and (4) the different functions of the three types of signs with respect to affect.