What is "Communication"? -Beyond the Shannon & Weaver’s Model-

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to illustrate how the concept of communication prevalent in Japan is overemphasized from the perspective of cybernetic tradition and to propose to view the communication phenomena by using the dialogical-dialectical approach between cybernetic tradition and semiotic tradition of communication theories. Based on the analysis of Information Study textbooks, communication was defined as “information processing” reflected in cybernetic tradition. However, reality is constructed through communication. Thus, the definition, “intersubjective mediation by signs” provided by semiotic tradition will be useful to identify two communicators not as “I” and “the other” but as “I” and “we” as a unit. This approach will reveal the importance of caring for others and the affective domain. Hence, by using the dialogical-dialectical approach between cybernetic tradition and semiotic tradition of communication theories, it will be beneficial to observe communication phenomena from a variety of perspectives.