How Molecules Became Signs

Abstract To explore how molecules became signs I will ask: “What sort of process is necessary and sufficient to treat a molecule as sign?” This requires focusing on the interpreting system its interpretive competence. avoid assuming any properties that need be explained develop what consider simplest possible molecular model which only assumes known physics chemistry but nevertheless exemplifies interest. Three progressively more complex variants this competence are developed roughly parallel an icon-index-symbol hierarchic scaffolding logic. The implication analysis reversal current dogma evolutionary biology treats like DNA RNA original sources biological information. Instead argue structural characteristics these have provided semiotic affordances dynamics viruses cells taken advantage of. These not source information instead artifacts onto dynamical functional constraints been offloaded during course evolution.