Terms: Wrap it Up at L5

«Term» can also be used to refer to the L5 process (i.e. it is also a verb, «to term», but «terming» is rarely used in English). I much prefer: to name or naming and for the thing: Name. Also possible, are: labeling & Label. Both of these alternative names may be used at times within TOP instead of «Term».

Academics & Terms

It seems that we have finally emerged from the confusion that was so disturbing at lower Levels of this THEE hierarchy. Semiologists, linguists, students of language and others would probably find THEE's use (as above) reasonable.

However, confusion still lurks: academics generally equate «Terms» with «Concepts»—that require definition to tame them. By contrast, in THEE, «Terms» belong to Communication: PH5-L5while «Concepts» belong to Inquiry: PH2-L1. (Because THEE is about function, the same word can be used for both communication and inquiry. Nevertheless you can imagine the potential for manipulation and confusion.)

As part of their distinctive discipline, semiologists become interested in specific Terms, and in the cultural significance of choosing to use certain Terms. Such cultural preference is not significant in THEE, except pragmatically.

Terms & Terminology

We find here the distinct discipline of «terminology». It is related in general to translation studies, and to the in-group jargon of special fields (e.g. scientific terminology, military terminology). THEE too requires its own terminology/jargon: access meanings by clicking on the tab with "Terms" at the top of the left-hand navigation column. Read more in the Hub.

Terms may be used sloppily due to carelessness, or with a lack of discrimination due to not seeing or knowing.

In addition, errors typical of lower Level forms may all occur e.g. a Term-L5 might not be learned (like a Signal-L2); or might not be understood (like a Symbol-L4).

Terms have an ability to «capture meaning» based on discrimination amongst things or categories of things. Dictionaries and glossaries take on their most useful and complex forms in relation to verbal terms: not only explaining but seeking origins (etymology), and providing synonyms and antonyms (thesaurus). Note that similar compilations can be developed at all lower Levels except Stimuli -L1 which are infrastructural for communication.

The complexities of reference and discrimination provide the basis for semantics within any language. Terms-L5 are certainly intrinsic to language. However, from a practical (i.e. THEE) perspective, the essence of language does not lie in terms themselves, but in the uses to which terms are put during any communication.

To express ourselves, understand others, and generally make things happen, language also requires:

• syntax indicating how words need to be ordered
• pragmatics relating to the effects of using language

It is evident that the use of language and related matters are not handled at L5 (or at lower Levels).

In all THEE Primary Hierarchies: At L5, the form taken by the entity assumes all lower levels and both shapes and operates them in some fashion. L5 marks a discontinuity from L1-L4 by providing the basis for a new more sophisticated phenomenon, one that is perhaps essentially human.

At L5 in Communication, we suddenly come upon the mechanism necessary for language. Terms discriminate objective and subjective entities and lend themselves to manipulation.  But how, where and to what end?