2. General Semantics - What is it? The word ‘ semantics’ was introduced into linguistic literature by Michel Breal. It is derived from the Greek semainein (‘to mean, to signify’) and Breal stressed meaning on the verbal level. Korzybski, in 1933, called his theory ‘general semantics’ because it deals with the nervous reactions of the human organism-as-a-whole-in-environments, and is much more general and organismally fundamental than the ‘meanings’ of the words as such. Alfred Habdank Skarbek KORZYBSKI (1879 - 1950) Born in Warsaw (Poland). Attended Polytechnic Institute, Warsaw, as chemistry engineer, later studied in Germany and Italy. 1915 - Sent to Canada and USA as an Artillery expert in the Russian army. Lectured for the US government on the war. 1921 - Manhood of Humanity: The Science and Art of Human Engineering 1933 - Science and Sanity: An Introduction to Non-Aristotelian Systems and General Semantics 1938 - Established the Institute of General Semantics in Chicago. J. Samuel BOIS (1892 - 1978) Born in Stratford, Quebec, Canada, became a priest after a Bachelor’s degree in theology. Forced out of the church for his radical-doctrine views 1936 - PhD - Mc Gill University Montreal 1947 - Instructor - Korzybski Seminars, after studying with Korzybski 1963- After a successful career as a management consultant using general semantics, Bois started his own institute called Viewpoints. 1969 - Breeds of Men: Towards the Adulthood of Humankind 1972 - Epistemics: The Science-Art of Innovating J. Samuel Bois A. Korzybski William PEMBERTON (1911-2002) Born in Bellingham WA, Studied Philosophy at University WA 1938 - Trip around the world, 29 countries. Followed PhD program in Sociology at University of Bucharest 1939 - Korzybski seminar, and subsequent workshop and meetings. Added ‘prostracting’ to Korzybski’s ‘abstracting’ 1950 - 1990 Lecturing all over the world about Crisis Intervention Philosophy and Conflict Resolution Technology. 1989 - Sanity for Survival: a semantic approach to conflict resolution 2001 - Host of Radio talk show ‘the world according to Dr. Bill’ Barry A. GOODFIELD (1941) PhD in psychology and human behavior, University of San Francisco, was protégé to semantics expert Dr. S. I. Hayakawa Developed unique system of analyzing the role of the unconscious as seen in non verbal behavior in decision making. Helped negotiate in the Baltics crisis, the conflict between Chechnian leaders and president Yeltsin. He has advised presidents, prime ministers and other top leaders on crisis management and conflict resolution. Member of American Psychological Association, Diplomat of the American Board of Forensic Administrators, Diplomat of the American Board of Forensic Medicine. 1999 - Insight and Action: The role of the unconscious in crisis from the personal to international levels Barry Goodfield Samuel Ichiye HAYAKAWA (1906 - 1992) Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 1928 - Graduate degree in English from Mc Gill University Montreal 1935 - Graduate degree in English from University of Wisconsin 1938 - Language in Though and Action 1955 - Professor San Francisco State College 1968 - President San Francisco State College 1977 - Elected as a Republican to the US Senate Bill Pemberton S.I. Hayakawa