David Corfield Eugene Gendlin

Experience and the Creation of Meaning

A) Parallel Functional Relationships of Felt Meaning in Cognition

1) Direct reference Symbols function as markers, pointers, or referring tools that create “a,” “this,” or “one” feeling by referring to “it.” Felt meaning functions as containing the meaning (independently of any representative meanings the referring symbols might have), and as referent.

2) Recognition Symbols function to call forth in us the felt meaning. Felt meaning functions as the meaning to us of the symbols. Without it, not only would symbols have no meaning, but we would not be able to think or observe meaningfully.

3) Explication

B) Creative Functional Relationships

1) Metaphor

2) Comprehension

3) Relevance

4) Circumlocution