SYNCHRONIC and DIACHRONIC
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(2) |
| ID | ◀ 3300 ▶ |
| Object type | General information, Epistemology, ontology or semantics |
Superficial exponents of structuralist concepts frequently oppose the diachronic aspects of structures to their synchronic aspects. Some even understand structure as a pure synchronic concept.
J.L.LE MOIGNE observes on this matter: “(PIAGET concluded that) structuralism is in fact a method, not a doctrine. He proposed a global approach describing the object as a whole, functioning and transforming itself (…): ”The nature of the subject is to be a functioning center and not the seat of a completed entity“ (quote PIAGET, 1968, p.123). May the object not be perceived ”as a bundle of transformations“ (Ibid, p.124) operating and evolving only through its own operations?” this constant duality, or more precisely bipolarity of properties, being always simultaneously structurating and structured“ (LE MOIGNE, 1990, p.11).
LE MOIGNE also quotes the Swiss linguist F.de SAUSSURE: “ synchronic truth appears to be the negation of diachronic truth and, looking at the matter in a superficial way, one imagines that one must choose; in fact, this is not necessary as one of these truth does not excludes the other” (1990a, p.29)
In fact, a structure is diachronic as well as synchronic: each instantaneous state of the structure is an embodiment of its temporal totality.