Finding its origins in the work of the late-19th century American philosopher C.S. Peirce, triadic theory is concerned with the unique nature of human language as a "space-time" event qualitatively different from all other known phenomena of nature. More precisely, while modern scientists are readily accustomed to studying nature from a cause-and-effect (or "dyadic") vantage point, the "language event" itself cannot be reduced solely to such terms. For as explained by language philosopher Walker Percy (1916-1990), symbolization at root involves *three* irreducible variables: the "symbol-user," the "symbol," and its "referent." Human language, therefore, fundamentally being a process involving "triads," cannot be explained from a cause-and-effect model; rather it supercedes traditional scientific methodology in ways that fully have yet to be appreciated.
Triadic theory is a part of the scientific discipline known as "semiotics," which is concerned with the systematic study of signs (or symbols) and their meaning. Needless to say, the theory and the discipline both have key insights to offer current explorations into the complex nature of human consciousness.
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