Concepts Through a Linguosynergetic Lens (On the Example of the Concept of Death)

Abstract

The article discusses the functioning of a concept from a linguosynergetic perspective as a spontaneous equipment of the structure of a homeostatic hierarchical complex organized as an open nonlinear system. The research is aimed to investigate the DEATH concept functioning from a linguosynergetic perspective and develop a model for understanding the synergistic interplay of linguistic and contextual factors in the conceptualization of death. To develop the main research hypothesis, general scientific methods like analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, abstraction, explanation, and description are used. This system is characterized as an open one because it constantly interacts with the external world and is nonlinear, meaning that it has various options for development at the bifurcation point, but only one is chosen. This continuous process of structuring is known as emergence, which means the concept can adapt to new meanings based on the realities of the world around it. Emergence is a result of the selforganizing mechanism, where the system is reorganized and spontaneously equipped with elements that allow it to move to a new level of operation, while maintaining balance by outputting information from the system’s boundaries. However, the system is also influenced by external factors, which can cause conflict and lead to further reorganization. As a result, the emergence process is ongoing and dynamic, with the structure being both a consequence and a cause of the system`s development. Thus, the principle of self-organization, which is the key concept of synergetics, is founded on the notion of instability. In essence, self-organization refers to the spontaneous emergence of order in a system, which results from the interactions and interrelationships between the system`s components. As such, the concept of self-organization is closely linked to the idea of nonlinearity, which posits that small changes in the system`s components can lead to significant changes in the system`s behavior as a whole. In other words, the behavior of the system as a whole is not simply a sum of the behaviors of its individual components, but is instead an emergent property that arises from the complex interactions between those components. The formation of a new system is not merely a sum of its individual parts. This is, due to the way in which the components of the system connect with one another, a phenomenon known as coherence. Coherence acts as a means to coordinate the various components of the system so that they work together in harmony, rather than independently. Additionally, the system`s components change at different rates and are of varying quality. This process is responsible for the system`s evolutionary nature and reinforces the principle of evolutionary holism in synergetics. This principle is concerned with understanding the mechanisms by which the system`s components come together to form a whole. In summary, the concept is formed in the human mind through a collection of thoughts, which can take on various forms such as lexical and semantic fields, modes, frames, and emotions. The specific form the concept takes depends on the level at which the bifurcation point impacts the fluctuation of the conceptual structure and discursive environment. Essentially, the concept arises from a system that is in an unstable state and is subject to fluctuations that threaten its structure. When the system reaches the bifurcation point, the individual selects one of the possible models for the concept`s development, and this results in a transition from “chaos” to “order” as the concept gains verbal representation. The activation of a concept in one`s cognition occurs at different intensities and is dependent on several factors. These factors include the individual’s level of knowledge about the concept, their principles and beliefs, their interests, their life experiences, as well as extralinguistic factors. The activation of a concept can occur in varying degrees, with some individuals having a more profound understanding of a concept compared to others. Additionally, the process of concept activation can be influenced by external factors such as societal norms and cultural beliefs. Therefore, the way in which a person perceives and activates a concept is a complex and individualized process, influenced by both internal and external factors.