signifikantisti

Signifikantisti is a term that emerged within certain philosophical and linguistic circles to describe individuals or schools of thought that place a strong emphasis on the concept of "significance" in understanding meaning. The core idea is that the meaning of a word, concept, or utterance is not solely determined by its denotation or inherent properties, but rather by its relevance and importance within a given context or system of understanding.

Proponents of signifikantism argue that what makes something meaningful is not its objective existence, but its capacity to be recognized and utilized as a meaningful element by an agent. This perspective often contrasts with purely referential theories of meaning, which focus on the link between a word and the object or concept it represents. Instead, signifikantisti are interested in how signs function and acquire their meaning through their relationships with other signs and their role in human cognitive and social practices. The term can sometimes overlap with semiotics and pragmatism, but it specifically highlights the active role of "significance" as the primary driver of meaning-making. The development of this perspective is often linked to critiques of traditional semantics and a desire to account for the dynamic and context-dependent nature of human communication.