Applied umwelt theory in the context of phenomenological triangulation and descriptive phenomenology
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Even though Jakob von Uexküll’s umwelt theory has inspired biosemioticians and phenomenologists alike, most contemporary phenomenological methods are applicable only to studies of human phenomena. In this article I discuss how umwelt theory can be made use of in the contexts of phenomenological triangulation and descriptive phenomenology. This results in a methodological framework for applied umwelt theory in a phenomenological setting. Drawing on methodological advances in cognitive semiotics developed by Jordan Zlatev and his colleagues, I discuss how first-person, second-person and third-person perspectives can be combined in studies of human and animal phenomena. I further outline a more-than-human descriptive phenomenology that is applicable in be- havioural sciences, in health and social studies, in the humanities and the arts, and in speculative studies, with field-specific considerations made. Overall, the aim of the article is to contribute to integrating biosemiotics and phenomenology and demonstrating the relevance of umwelt theory for phenomenology, and vice versa.
Source: Sign Systems Studies
Author: Morten Tønnessen
Institution: University of Stavanger
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Funders: Radboud Universiteit, Lunds Universitet
OpenAlex ID: W4407610324