The Semiotic Self

By Norbert Wiley

In this book, Norbert Wiley offers a new interpretation of the nature of the self in society. Current theories of the self tend to either assimilate the self to a community or larger collective, or reduce the self to body. In distinct opposition to these theories, Wiley makes the case for an autonomous self, a human being who is a repository of rights, a free and equal agent in a democracy consisting of other selves.

Drawing on a fresh synthesis of the writings of Charles Sanders Peirce, George Herbert Mead, and others, Wiley argues that the self can be seen as an internal conversation, or a "trialogue" in which the present self ("I") talks to the future self ("you") about the past self ("me"). A distinctive feature of Wiley's view is that there is a mutually supportive relation between the self and democracy, and he traces this view through American history. In finding a way to decenter the self without eliminating it, Wiley supplies an alternative to current theories of postmodernism, a much-needed closure to classical pragmatism, and a new direction to neo-pragmatism.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0226898164
• ISBN13: 9780226898162
• Release Date: February 1995
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Length: 264 Pages
• Weight: 0.96 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Highly relevant work

Essential Reading for a variety of disciplines. Even if we might not agree with certain things that he is writing, this is essential for both the sociologically minded, and serves as an excellent counterpoint for Giddens recent work, or even that of Bourdieu. This work provides a counterfoil for many of the determinisms (and forms of fundamentalism)which dominate current thinking. Sociologists, philosophers and people interested in social theory will find this a highly stimulating and provocative read. It will appeal to both fans of Damasio and people who are interested in Peirce while not necessarily counting themselves as specialists. This is written in a highly accessible and logical style, which is refreshing bearing in mind how obtuse some of the secondary philosophical writing can be.

Sound philosophical work

I found Wiley's book during my doctoral research on Mead, some years ago. It is, beyond any doubt, a sound philosophical work by one of America's leading thinkers in this field. His knowledge of the history of philosophy is impressive, his analytical creativity is awesome, and his intellectual rigour is also noteworthy. So, if you are interested in the theories of the self and American philosophical pragmatism this book is certainly worth buying.