Psychology Wiki
(related)
No edit summary
 
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{LangPsy}}
 
{{LangPsy}}
  +
{{Expert}}
'''Symbolism''' is the systematic or creative use of arbitrary [[symbol|symbols]] as [[abstraction|abstracted]] representations of [[concept|concepts]] or [[object (philosophy)|object]]s and the distinct relationships in between, as they define both [[context]] and the narrower definition of terms. In a narrow context, "symbolism" is the applied use of any [[icon|iconic]] representations which carry particular conventional meanings.
 
  +
 
'''Symbolism''' is a form of [[communication]], by the systematic or creative use of arbitrary [[symbol|symbols]] as [[abstraction|abstracted]] representations of [[concept|concepts]] or [[object (philosophy)|object]]s and the distinct relationships in between, as they define both [[context]] and the narrower definition of terms. In a narrow context, "symbolism" is the applied use of any [[icon|iconic]] representations which carry particular conventional meanings.
   
 
The term "symbolism" is often limited to use in contrast to "[[representationalism]]"; defining the general directions of a linear [[spectrum (disambiguation)|spectrum]] wherin all symbolic concepts can be viewed in relation, and where changes in [[context]] may imply [[systemic]] changes to individual and collective definitions of symbols. "Symbolism" may refer to a way of choosing representative symbols inline with abstract rather than literal [[property|properties]], allowing for the broader interpretation of a carried [[meaning]] than more literal concept-representations allow.
 
The term "symbolism" is often limited to use in contrast to "[[representationalism]]"; defining the general directions of a linear [[spectrum (disambiguation)|spectrum]] wherin all symbolic concepts can be viewed in relation, and where changes in [[context]] may imply [[systemic]] changes to individual and collective definitions of symbols. "Symbolism" may refer to a way of choosing representative symbols inline with abstract rather than literal [[property|properties]], allowing for the broader interpretation of a carried [[meaning]] than more literal concept-representations allow.
   
All forms of language are innately symbolic, and any system of symbols can form a "language;" at the minimum using only two arbitrary symbols in a [[Wiktionary:binary|binary]] system. Human language is based in the use of [[phonemes]] as representative symbols, and the analogous written forms are typically deferential to the phoneme. The written word is therefore symbolically representative of both the symbolic phoneme and directly to the cognitive concept which it represents. The field of [[cognitive linguistics]] explores the cognitive process and relationships between different systems of phonetic symbols to indicate deeper processes of symbolic [[cognition]].
+
All forms of language are innately symbolic, and any system of symbols can form a "language;" at the minimum using only two arbitrary symbols in a binary system. Human language is based in the use of [[phonemes]] as representative symbols, and the analogous written forms are typically deferential to the phoneme. The written word is therefore symbolically representative of both the symbolic phoneme and directly to the cognitive concept which it represents. The field of [[cognitive linguistics]] explores the cognitive process and relationships between different systems of phonetic symbols to indicate deeper processes of symbolic [[cognition]].
   
 
A [[religion]] can be described as a language of concepts related to human [[spiritualism]]. Symbolism hence is an important aspect of most [[Religious symbolism|religions]].
 
A [[religion]] can be described as a language of concepts related to human [[spiritualism]]. Symbolism hence is an important aspect of most [[Religious symbolism|religions]].
Line 17: Line 19:
 
Many writers, in fact most or all authors of [[fiction]], make symbolic use of concepts and objects as [[rhetorical device|rhetorical devices]] central to the meaning of their works.
 
Many writers, in fact most or all authors of [[fiction]], make symbolic use of concepts and objects as [[rhetorical device|rhetorical devices]] central to the meaning of their works.
   
[[Joseph Conrad]] and [[James Joyce]], for example, used symbolism extensively, to represent themes which applied to greater contexts in their contemporary politics and society.
 
   
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
  +
* [[Figurative language]]
 
{{Ideology-small}}
 
{{Ideology-small}}
 
* [[Religious symbolism]]
 
* [[Religious symbolism]]
Line 35: Line 37:
 
* [[tone-painting|Musical symbolism]]
 
* [[tone-painting|Musical symbolism]]
 
* [[Symbolic system]]
 
* [[Symbolic system]]
  +
* [[Language]]
  +
* [[Metaphor]]
  +
* [[Semiotics]]
 
[[Category:Symbolism]]
 
[[Category:Symbolism]]
   
  +
<!--
 
[[cs:Symbolismus]]
 
[[cs:Symbolismus]]
 
[[da:Symbolisme]]
 
[[da:Symbolisme]]
Line 52: Line 58:
 
[[zh:象征主义]]
 
[[zh:象征主义]]
 
[[fr:Tirzah]]
 
[[fr:Tirzah]]
  +
-->
 
 
==Related==
 
==Related==
 
[[w:c:symbolism|Symbolism Wiki]]
 
[[w:c:symbolism|Symbolism Wiki]]

Latest revision as of 20:08, 28 December 2008

Assessment | Biopsychology | Comparative | Cognitive | Developmental | Language | Individual differences | Personality | Philosophy | Social |
Methods | Statistics | Clinical | Educational | Industrial | Professional items | World psychology |

Language: Linguistics · Semiotics · Speech


This article is in need of attention from a psychologist/academic expert on the subject.
Please help recruit one, or improve this page yourself if you are qualified.
This banner appears on articles that are weak and whose contents should be approached with academic caution.

Symbolism is a form of communication, by the systematic or creative use of arbitrary symbols as abstracted representations of concepts or objects and the distinct relationships in between, as they define both context and the narrower definition of terms. In a narrow context, "symbolism" is the applied use of any iconic representations which carry particular conventional meanings.

The term "symbolism" is often limited to use in contrast to "representationalism"; defining the general directions of a linear spectrum wherin all symbolic concepts can be viewed in relation, and where changes in context may imply systemic changes to individual and collective definitions of symbols. "Symbolism" may refer to a way of choosing representative symbols inline with abstract rather than literal properties, allowing for the broader interpretation of a carried meaning than more literal concept-representations allow.

All forms of language are innately symbolic, and any system of symbols can form a "language;" at the minimum using only two arbitrary symbols in a binary system. Human language is based in the use of phonemes as representative symbols, and the analogous written forms are typically deferential to the phoneme. The written word is therefore symbolically representative of both the symbolic phoneme and directly to the cognitive concept which it represents. The field of cognitive linguistics explores the cognitive process and relationships between different systems of phonetic symbols to indicate deeper processes of symbolic cognition.

A religion can be described as a language of concepts related to human spiritualism. Symbolism hence is an important aspect of most religions.

Many cultures have developed complex symbolic systems, often referred to as a symbolic system, which assign certain attributes to specific things, such as types of animals, plants or weather.

The interpretation of abstract symbols has had an important role in religion and psychoanalysis.

As envisioned by Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, symbols are not the creations of mind, but rather are distinct capacities within the mind to hold a distinct piece of information. In the mind, the symbol can find free association with any number of other symbols, can be organized in any number of ways, and can hold the connected meanings between symbols as symbols in themselves. Jung and Freud diverged on the issue of common cognitive symbol systems and whether they could exist only within the individual mind or among other minds; whether any cognitive symbolism was defined by innate symbolism or by influence of environment.

In literature, "symbolism" may refer to the use of abstract concepts, as a way to obfuscate any literal interpretation, or to allow for the broader applicability of the prose to meanings beyond what may be literally described. Many writers, in fact most or all authors of fiction, make symbolic use of concepts and objects as rhetorical devices central to the meaning of their works.


See also

This entry is related to, but not included in the Political ideologies series or one of its sub-series. Other related articles can be found at the Politics Portal.
  • Religious symbolism
    • Christian symbolism
    • Jewish symbolism
    • Ayyavazhi symbolism
    • Buddhist symbolism
    • Solar symbols
  • Political symbolism
    • Anarchist symbolism
    • Communist symbolism
    • Nazi symbolism
  • Symbolism, an artistic movement
  • Symbolism in Flags
  • Musical symbolism
  • Symbolic system
  • Language
  • Metaphor
  • Semiotics

Related

Symbolism Wiki

This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).