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In:Principles of New Science: Dialogue in the stream of life
Edda Weigand
[Dialogue Studies 35] 2026
► pp. vii–ix

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Table of contents

Prologue

Acknowledgements

Introduction: From the simple to the complex

Part I.What is science?

1.The scientific method

2.Object and purpose of science

3.Science and philosophy

4.Science and theory

Part II.Looking back: Science of the simple

1.Abstraction and reduction: Competence and the system of signs

2.The challenge of performance

2.1Modifying the sign

2.2Addition of models

2.3Classification

2.4Invention of new concepts

2.5The focus on data

Part III.The change to New Science

1.The issue

2.Competence-in-performance or ‘the thing we want to find out’

3.Precursors of a theory of complexity

4.Verification

5.Principles of New Science

Part IV.The universal basis of meaning

1.Basic issues

2.The basic structure of action

3.Interests and strategies

4.Reference

5.Predication

6.Co-evolution of biology and culture

6.1Persuasion

6.2Morality

6.3Evaluation

6.4Emotion

7.To sum up: The whole structure of meaning

Part V.Specialisation: The New Hierarchy

1.Specialising the purpose

1.1Declaratives

1.2Exploratives

1.3Directives

1.4Representatives

1.5Integration of propositional features

1.5.1Declaratives

1.5.2Exploratives

1.5.3Directives

1.5.4Representatives

1.6To sum up

2.Specialising interests and strategies

3.Specialising reference

4.Specialising predication

5.Division of labour

6.To sum up

Part VI.The big question of a ‘grammar’ of performance

1.The problem

2.Solving the problem

3.An example

4.Essential cases of adaptation

4.1Human beings at the centre

4.2The role of syntax

4.3The role of words

4.4Grammar as adaptation in a zigzag journey

4.5Comparative grammar

4.6Integration of speaking and perceiving

4.7Integration of speaking and thinking

4.8Integration of emotion

4.9Integration of culture and morality

4.10Integration of persuasion

5.To sum up

Part VII.Complex games: Beyond the unity of purpose

Part VIII.Outlook: From basics to the challenge of the future

Epilogue

References

Appendix