This paper examines the biosemiotic approach to the study of life processes by fashioning a series of questions that any worthwhile
semiotic study of life should ask. These questions can be understood simultaneously as: (1) questions that distinguish a semiotic
biology from a non-semiotic (i.e., reductionist–physicalist) one; (2) questions that any student in biosemiotics should ask
when doing a case study; and (3) still currently unanswered questions of biosemiotics. In addition, some examples of previously
undertaken biosemiotic case studies are examined so as to suggest a broad picture of how such a biosemiotic approach to biology
might be done.
Keywords Semiotic life science -
Umwelten
- Function - Thresholds and attributes of semiosis - Sebeok’s thesis - Uexküllian question - Qualitative methods in biology - Biosemiotic case studies