Self, sign, belief, and agency

Abstract

This article presents a discussion of notions of self and belief from a semiotic approach that integrates theories of action. In spite of the semiotic nature of subjective experience and likewise of the incompleteness of our (self-) understanding, the weaknesses of our reason, the events of our lives, we reflect and act in the light of our beliefs and reflections. Even if the person can assume multiple positions in the same flow of communication, reflection is present at moments in which that person faces situations wherein inquiring him/herself about his/her belief becomes unavoidable for the conduct of the person’s life. To reflect is nothing but to expose one’s own attitudes under a certain angle, considering one’s own contingencies, changes, precariousness and uncertainty. From a semiotic point of view, to reflect is to interpret one’s own flow of signs in (but not in the idealistic sense, since it also involves emotions and feelings) in order to act.