The pragmaticism as a route to designing: Understanding the inferential logics of sense attribution

The objective of this paper is to discuss the inferential logics of sense attribution to everyday objects. The arguments presented take part of a broader investigation that aims at evolving a full methodological research framework. Such framework intends to explore the possibility of development of a method of systematic analysis of the relationship established between users and objects in their context of use and specific circumstances. The starting point of the discussion is the pragmatistic maxim: “Consider what effects , that might conceivably have practical bearing , we conceive the object of our conception to have. Then, our conception of these effects is the whole of our conception of the object” (Peirce, CP 4.402). Both terms, effects and practical bearing , associated with the concept of sense , were of great importance to support the evolvement of the theoretical discourse developed in the paper. In addiction, the concept of sense adopted is also rooted in Peirce’s essays: “Our idea of anything is our idea of its sensible effects ” (Peirce, CP 5.401). According to Peirce, the senses of any sign (e.g., objects) are associated with all possible effects and the practical consequences that they produce or could produce (Zingale & Domingues, 2015). Thus, considering that signs can be also understood as processes of mental mediation, the practical bearings urged by sensible effects are direct linked to inferential logic mechanisms (induction, deduction, abduction) in the processes of sense attribution. Then, how to analyze intangible aspects such interpretative answers and practical consequences in the context of use and specific circumstances ? The statements contained in the paper may contribute to the fields of design (practical) and semiotics and design (theoretical) in terms of providing a theoretical model. Such model intends to increase the scientific understanding of the logical mediation processes involved in artifacts fruition, which is believed to have effects on the practical processes of analysis and development of goods; and may also add knowledge to the discussions and contributions postulated by Deni (2015) and Boztepe (2007). Concluding, this contribution may bring into the field of design discussions on the comprehension of the relationship between users and their goods, introducing a purpose of a framing method of the logic of the pragmatistic dimension of artifacts. In further stages of the so-called broader investigation, the evolvement of such method aims at aiding the analyses and introduction of symbolic features into artifacts in the very early stages of design. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4995/IFDP.2016.3214