Pictorial Semantics · PHIL 287

About the seminar

This course examines the theories on intentionality and information theory, exploring foundational concepts, the evolution of naturalized intentionality, and the role of informational relations in shaping mental states. It delves into the quantification and transfer of information, emphasizing the significance of causality and the conceptual framework for understanding informational content.

Schedule

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Date	Topic	Reading	Recommended
Wed1/9	Session 1Systems of Representation Handout	Saussure ([1923] 1983) Course in General LinguisticsIntro: Ch. 3.3, “Place of Language in Human Facts: Semiology”; Part 1 Ch. 1, “Nature of the Linguistic Sign” McCloud (1993) Understanding ComicsCh. 2, “The Vocabulary of Comics”	Peirce (1894) “What is a sign?” Schier (1986) Deeper into PicturesChapter 3, “The Natural and the Unnatural”; Chapter 4, “A Theory of Depiction”
Wed1/16	Session 2Pictorial Content Handout	Goodman (1968) Languages of ArtChapter 1, “Reality Remade”: sections 1,5 and 6 Blumson (2009) “Pictures, Perspective, and Possibility”	Ross (1997) The Semantics of MediaChapter 3, “Reflections on Content”; Chapter 5, “The Semantics of Viewpoint”
Wed1/23	Session 3Systems of Depiction Handout	Goodman (1968) Languages of ArtChapter 1, “Reality Remade”: sections 2-3 and 7-9 Willats (1997) Art and RepresentationChapter 1, “Introduction”	Lewis (1969) “Convention” Healy et al (2007) “Graphical Language Games”
Wed1/30	Session 4Geometrical Projection Handout	Sedgewick (1980) “The Geometry of Spatial Layout in Pictorial Representation”from Hagen (1980) The Perception of Pictures, pages 34-48 Willats (1997) Art and RepresentationChapter 2, “Projection Systems”	Hagen (1986) Varieties of Realismespecially chapters 5-9 Wikipedia series on Graphical Projection
Wed2/6	Session 5Light and Line Handout	Willats (1997) Art and RepresentationChapter 4, “Regions as Picture Primitives”; Chapter 5, “Line Drawing”; Chapter 6, “Optical Denotation Systems”	—
Wed2/13	Session 6Depiction, Perception, and Convention Handout	Lewis (1969) “Convention”Chapter 1, “Coordination and Convention”; Chapter 4, “Convention and Communication”	—
Wed2/20	Session 7Bare-bones and Fleshed-out Content Handout	Kulvicki (1996) On ImagesChapter 3, “Transparency”: pages 49-63 Malinas (1991) “A Semantics for Pictures”Section I Burge (2010) Origins of ObjectivityChapter 2, “Terminology”, pages 30-46; Chapter 9, “Origins”, pages 379-384	—
	Session 8Fleshed-out Content and Direct Reference Handout	DeCarlo and Stone (2010) “Visual Explanations” Schier (2010) Deeper into PicturesChapter 5, “Recognition and Iconic Reference” Kaplan (1977) “Demonstratives”On character vs. content: sections VI(i), VI(ii), VII, XI, XIII, XIV; on direct reference: preface, III, IV, V, IX, IX(i)	—
Wed3/6	Session 9Semantics of Fleshed-out Content Handout	Malinas (1991) “A Semantics for Pictures”Sections II-end Marr (1982) VisionChapter 4, “The Immediate Representation of Visible Surfaces”, sections 4.1 and 4.3-5	Kaplan (1977) “Demonstratives”The formal system: XVIII, XIX
Mon3/11	Session 10Enriched Regions Handout Slides	Kaplan (1989) “Afterthoughts”“Taxonomy” (pp. 573-576) & Section II Walton (1984) “Transparent Pictures”Section 5	—