Thirdness

Thirdness is a concept from semiotics that describes the aspect of meaning created through relationships, rules, or conventions. It involves the interpretation and understanding that emerge when signs (like words or symbols) are connected through shared norms or patterns. For example, language relies on thirdness because words gain meaning through social agreements about how they relate to concepts and other words. It emphasizes the role of mediating factors—such as context, tradition, and rules—in shaping understanding beyond direct experience, making meaning a dynamic process rooted in collective conventions rather than just immediate sensations or individual ideas.