An exploratory theoretical essay (originally published as "The Symbol Theory: An Introduction," in three parts in the journal Theory, Culture, & Society [1989, 6, 2, 3, & 4 , published as part of the Theory, Culture, & Society series (Mike Featherstone, series editor) & presented in 9 untitled Sections with an Editor's Introduction by Richard Kilminster & the author's Introduction, investigates symbols in relation to language, knowing, & thinking. Focusing on issues traditionally associated with semiotics, anthropology, & evolutionary biology, the essay stresses that symbols are sound patterns of human communication, which are animated by the evolutionary biological precondition of the human vocal apparatus. Also addressed are theoretical issues regarding the ontological status of knowledge, eschewing traditional philosophical dualisms, eg, idealism/materialism, in favor of a view that sees all phenomena as integrated. The programmatic focus is on evolutionary biology, particularly the extent to which it provides a more adequate rendering of the human capacity for symbol formation than is possible with theories that employ the static nature/culture polarity. The essay seeks to establish the mode of existence of symbols, as learned means of communication, in a diachronic manner within an evolutionary framework that includes social development as its continuation on a higher level. 1 Reference. W. Howard

source: Sociological Abstracts