Time and communication
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Date
2014
Authors
Strauss, D. F. M
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Communication Science, University of the Free State
Abstract
This article commences by paying attention to the dual role of signs, as physical
subjects and communicative objects – both being correlated with physical law
and communicative principles. In order to show that time cannot be reduced to
physical time, we shall argue that there are indeed different modes of time differing
from the physical and kinematic modes of time. Once the ontic reality of four
modal or functional aspects has been established, it will be shown that succession
(number), simultaneity (space), uniform flow/persistence/constancy (the kinematic)
and (irreversible) change (the physical) are each a mode of time in its own right.
Moreover, also within the other aspects of reality ontic time manifests itself, such
as evidenced in (heterogeneous) biotic time-order of birth, growth, maturation,
ageing and dying. A distinction between time-order and time duration is needed
in order to question the widespread view that time is the dimension of change.
Change represents only one among multiple modes of time. Against this background,
attention is given to communication and the conditioning role of the first four ontic
time-orders (with a remark on identity and communication), followed by an account
of communication and the other modes of time. The intimate connection between
time and communication is explained by highlighting the multiple interconnections
between communicative actions and the various modes of time, with a view on the
norming role of the latter.
Description
Keywords
Time, Communication, Time-order, Modes of time, Biotic-time-order, Ontic time
Citation
Strauss, D. F. M. (2014). Time and communication. Communitas, 19, 22-41.