0765 Section 17.2 deals with models.

Is it possible to couple concepts of modeling with semiotics?

Thomas Sebeok and Marcel Danesi collaborate on a book, titled Forms of Meaning: Modeling Systems Theory and Semiotic Analysis (2000, Morton de Gruyter, Berlin, Germany).  They conclude that a model is a sign-vehicle (a form, real or imagined) that stands for a sign-object (referring to the matter at hand) in regards to a sign-interpretant (a referential domain).

Instead of “is”, may I say, “appears to be”?

0766 Sebeok and Danesi’s formulation of “model” as a sign-relation may be reconfigured into into a category-based nested form, where each categorical element takes on the appearance of belonging to a sign-relation.

0767 Here is a diagram.

0768 Notice that a simplification has occurred. For Sebeok and Danesi, a “model” mimics a sign-relation.  In this reconfiguration, a form (SV_app) [stands for] matter at hand (SO_app).

Yes, a sign-relation simplifies into a hylomorphe.

The subscript says that “is” may be changed to “appears to be”.

0769 But, really – and this is a little confusing – I can configure the dyad another way, so that it looks even more like Aristotle’s hylomorphe of matter [substance] form.

In this switcheroo, a “model” is a hylomorphe where the matter at hand (apparent SO) [makes present] its form(apparent SV).

0769 Here is a picture.

0770 Does this make sense, especially when it comes to danger?

Well, how about an example?

I am walking on a forest trail.  I can see, far up the trail, that there is something and it appears to be blocking the path.  It is hard to determine what it is.  But, if it is a bear, I am going to turn around before it sees me.

0771This fits a situation-level nested form.

Plus, a few caveats are in order.

Recall that the situation-level normal context_3b and its potential_1b contribute to a specifying sign-interpretant (SI_s).  The situation-level actuality_2b goes contains the dyad, {SO_s [&] SV_e}_2b.

Plus, for the S&T noumenal overlay, the situation-level_2b actuality is labeled, “information_2b“.

0772 This raises the questions, “Does information_2b contain a ‘model’?  Does that ‘model’ fit Sebeok and Danesi’s formulation of a ‘model as a sign-vehicle?”