Theoretic determination
Theoretic determination

Summary/Abstract: The objective of his chapter is to introduce, define, and describe the notion of so-called theoretic determination. Following its elaboration, the latter should be understood as a five-step process (procedure, protocol, practice) that in the end purports to clarify whether a given product of thought may be classified as a theory or simply a theorization, whether or not a theory (once classified as such) may be classified as an architectonic theory or a non-architectonic theory, and finally, how formal an architectonic theory (once classified as such) is on the basis of its underlying logic. The five steps of theoretic determination are (1) delimiting the underlying criteria to be used in the determination, (2) specifying whether the criteria are being applied descriptively or prescriptively, (3) determining whether or not a given product of thought may be considered a theory or a theorization, (4) determining whether a confirmed theory is architectonic or non-architectonic, and (5) determining the formality of an architectonic theory on the basis of its underlying logic (consisting of syntactical, semantical, and pragmatical considerations). Steps (3)–(5) of theoretic determination involve making use of the so-called theoretic continuum, a notion which will also be introduced, defined, and described in the chapter at hand. The basic academic interests of Kõvamees involve establishing a new prison semiotics on the basis of the semiotics of culture (see, for example, “Prisons as total institution semiospheres”, 2020, Sign Systems Studies). More generally, the academic obsession is with the Tartu–Moscow Semiotic School, the semiotics of culture as such, and the individual works of Juri Lotman.

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