On the notion of transaction and that we can't control what others
construct as meaning from our texts, I always think about the notion of
'taken-as-shared' understandings of meaning which von Glasersfeld has
pointed to from Paul Cobb's work. I think that the 'taken-as-shared'
notion captures both the transaction component and the 'can't control'
issue, along with the personal/invention, social/convention roles way of
looking at it.
To add to what I said in my last note, I think it is important to recognize
that _anything_ we say or do to express our own meanings should be
considered merely an opening to transactions over meaning (what I think you
mean by the 'convention' role of language, language in the broadest sense
in this case.)
I find myself sometimes with a sense of my audience such that I'm pretty
sure that the meaning they would make of almost anything I say is not what
I'd like to try to get them to consider. In this situation, while what I
say might in fact be meaningful to them it is not the meaning I wish them
to think about. Hence, using examples and anecdotes that _are_ easily
meaningful to them may be counterproductive. In this case speaking to them
in terms about which they immediately nod their heads in agreement and
their eyes and faces/body language 'shine' with immediate understanding
makes it all the less likely that they will consider alternatives or that
this understanding is one that appears in any significant way similar to
the one I am using. On the other hand speaking/demonstrating/etc. in terms
which do not make immediate sense to them and giving them time, space,
encouragement to sort out what does not make sense makes it possible for
them to move out of the surroundings of their established understandings of
the world and to consider new ones which occur to them in this process.
Finally, all of this leaves me with the recognition that much of what I
have said seems consistent with a clear distinction between the thing,
meaning, and the meaning as an action. I'm not sure how to merge these two
more or to drop the thing for the action.
Dewey
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Dewey I. Dykstra, Jr. Phone: (208)385-3105
Professor of Physics Dept: (208)385-3775
Department of Physics/SN318 Fax: (208)385-4330
Boise State University dykstrad who-is-at varney.idbsu.edu
1910 University Drive Boise Highlanders
Boise, ID 83725-1570 novice piper
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