Conceptions are Social Constructs

Abstract

In this article we revisit some core concepts of the FRISCO report related to semiotics and the philosophical foundations of FRISCO. Starting from some earlier versions of the semiotic triangle we focus on its top comer labelled "conception" in its FRISCO version. The notion of conception (which is most fundamental for the whole framework) has been (and still is) a source of many controversies. It is indeed problematic when it is seen from a pure mentalistic point of view or introduced via terms of perception psychology. However, if we apply the constructivist principles in a systematic way and associate conceptions rather with social groups than with individual observers, they become "social constructs" and thus objective and operational, i.e. verifiable or at least reconstructable by applying laws and rules. As a consequence, some circular definitions in the present report can be removed and the FRISCO basis be stabilised.

A Foundation for Archival Engineering

“…The "something" to which the sign vehicle refers is its domain. Domain is preferable to the more commonly used 'object' because what a sign refers to can be not only some physical or conceptual thing but also some aspect or aspects of a thing [106]. It can be a single object, such as a dog named 'Spot,' or a composite of arbitrary complexity, such as the domain of science.…”