Abstract

Here we will discuss the necessary relationship between both prediction and human behavior and meaning and human behavior. The main assumption upon which our thesis rests is that knowing is for the sake of acting and that, consequently, the symbolic process is continuous with overt bodily behavior and with the environment of the knower. A corollary to this assumption is: the locus of meaning is in behavior. Possibly after reading the article it will be clear that meanings presuppose conduct of which we can take cognizance, and that there is a difference between behaving and taking cognizance of behavior. And although the locus of meaning is in behavior, meanings emerge only in relation to the symbolic process. In a sense we suffer, endure, live through behavior, but in the bare suffering of it there may be no meaning, for meaning requires also the symbolic process.