Alfred Korzybski
"A person does what he does because he sees the world as he sees it."
Influence on SDC Framework Focus
Korzybski’s concept of “abstraction,” a process in which people interpret and simplify information by focusing on certain details while abandoning others, is an important component for SDC practitioners. Since it’s not possible to perceive all aspects of reality, abstracting is necessary for understanding the world. However, problems arise when people mistake their abstracted view for the whole truth. SDC Frameworks encourages awareness of this process of questioning assumptions, asking questions, and refining perspectives rather than accepting initial interpretations as the best and final answer.
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Key Contributions and Concepts
Korzybski's primary contribution was the development of general semantics, a field he viewed as distinct from and more encompassing than traditional semantics.
General Semantics
A problem-solving system that applies scientific principles to language, thought, and communication. Rooted in the idea that language shapes perception and behavior, general semantics seeks to improve human understanding and decision-making by fostering clarity in thought and expression. Korzybski believed that by refining how individuals evaluate and describe reality, they could reduce misunderstandings, biases, and conflicts.
The Map is Not the Territory
As Alfred Korzybski famously said: "The map is not the territory, the word is not the thing it describes. Whenever the map is confused with the territory, a ‘semantic disturbance' is set up in the organism. The disturbance continues until the limitation of the map is recognized."
At its core this concept emphasizes the distinction between perception and reality; it highlights that our mental models, language, and interpretations of the world are not the actual world itself but instead are representations. Just as a map outlines geographical features but is not the physical landscape, our words, beliefs, and assumptions about reality are abstractions, shaped by our experiences, biases, and language structures.
Time-Binding
Time-binding is a core concept in general semantics that describes the unique ability humans have to accumulate, store, and transmit knowledge across generations. Unlike other life forms, humans can preserve and build upon the experiences and discoveries of past generations through language, symbols, and recorded history. This process enables scientific, technological, and cultural progress, as individuals do not have to start from scratch but can stand on the shoulders of those who came before them.
Time-binding also carries an ethical implication—Korzybski believed that individuals and societies should use knowledge responsibly to advance human well-being rather than regress into conflict and misinformation. By understanding and applying time-binding, individuals can become more aware of historical context, critical thinking, and the importance of accurate communication, thereby fostering continuous learning and societal improvement.
Non-Allness
No statement can capture the entirety of a subject. The concept underscores the limitations of language, as words can never fully encapsulate the richness and complexity of lived experience. There is always more to consider.
Consciousness of Abstracting
People perceive selectively, filtering experiences through past knowledge and biases. Every interpretation omits details and focuses on selective aspects of reality. Awareness of this principle fosters critical thinking, adaptability, and better communication, as individuals learn to question their assumptions and refine their understanding of the world.
Extensional Orientation
Emphasizes factual observation over preconceived assumptions.
Multi-Valued Thinking
Encourages viewing issues as having more than two opposing sides, reducing black-and-white thinking.
Biography
Alfred Korzybski was a Polish-American independent scholar. Born July 3, 1879 to an aristocratic family in Poland. He and his family were mathematicians, scientists, and engineers. Korzybski’s first language was Polish, but as a child he learned French, Russian and German, and became fluent in them all.
He studied engineering and mathematics at the Warsaw University of Technology where he gained a solid foundation in the sciences, mechanics, and linguistics. His education emphasized the scientific method and problem-solving, which later influenced his development of general semantics.
During World War I, Korzybski served in the Russian Army as an intelligence officer, which exposed him to the psychological and communicative failures that fueled conflict. In 1916 he suffered an injury to his leg, which was followed by a move to Canada and then the United States. He married Mira Edgerly, a painter, in January 1919, and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1940.
After immigrating to the United States, he dedicated his life to studying human cognition, language, and behavior. He had the opportunity in 1925 and 1926 to observe psychiatric patients at St. Elizabeth's hospital in D.C. under the supervision of William Alanson White. In 1933 he published his seminal work, Science and Sanity, which introduced non-Aristotelian logic and the concept of time-binding. His approach was interdisciplinary and combined elements of biology, psychology, linguistics, and philosophy, making his work influential in communication studies, psychotherapy, and cognitive sciences.
Korzybski founded the Institute of General Semantics in Chicago in 1938, later moving it to Lakeville, Connecticut, in 1946. He directed the institute until his death on March 1, 1950.
Find more information on Alfred Korzybski and General Semantics at the website for the Institution of General Semantics: https://generalsemantics.org/Alfred-Korzybski
Book Store
Manhood of Humanity (1921; Institute of General Semantics).
- This book introduces Korzybski's concept of humans as "time-binders" and explores the unique capacity of humans to transmit knowledge across generations.
Science and Sanity (1933; Institute of General Semantics).
- This book presents Korzybski's theory of general semantics, emphasizing the relationship between language, thought, and behavior, and introducing concepts like "the map is not the territory."
Alfred Korzybski Collected Writings: 1920-1950 (1990; Institute of General Semantics).
- This is a compilation of Korzybski's published works and some previously unpublished materials, tracing the development of his ideas from 1920 to 1950.
