48

42

science until they are separated and each is
definitely recognized in its precise functions
and the merely accidental circumstances cleared
away. What is thinking? It can only take place
in signs. What is it to understand a sign? It is
merely that the sign is interpreted in a sign in
your minds. The whole function of the mind
is to make a sign interpret itself in another
sign and ultimately perhaps in an action or
in an emotion. But the emotion is an idle
thing unless it leads to an action. The action is
an idle thing unless it produces a result which
agrees with a sign through a sign. The
whole problem is of signs; and if a mind
has to be taken into account, it should be considered

42

science until they are separated and each is
definitely recognized in its precise functions
and the merely accidental circumstances cleared
away. What is thinking? It can only take place
in signs. What is it to understand a sign? It is
merely that the sign is interpreted in a sign in
your minds. The whole function of the mind
is to make a sign interpret itself in another
sign and ultimately perhaps in an action or
in an emotion. But the emotion is an idle
thing unless it leads to an action. The action is
an idle thing unless it produces a result which
agrees with a sign through a sign. The
whole problem is of signs; and if a mind
has to be taken into account, it should be con