General Semantics

General Semantics (or GS) can be referred to as a general system of evaluation and awareness. It provides a systematic methodology to understand how you relate to the world around you, how you react to this world, how you react to your reactions, and how you may adjust your behavior accordingly.

	For an overview of General Semantics in French, click here.
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As language provides the means and the environment by which this evaluative process occurs, much of general semantics deals with studying the effects of language (and other symbol systems) on our behavior, and vice-versa.

General Semantics deals with the study of how we perceive, construct, evaluate, and communicate our life experiences. It can be considered an interdisciplinary study in that when you study general semantics, you integrate knowledge from many academic fields - not just language and communication studies, but also psychology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, physiology, sociology, anthropology, etc.

...experience shows that when the methods of general semantics are applied, the results are usually beneficial, whether in law, medicine, business, etc., be they in family, national, or international fields. If they are not applied, but merely talked about, no results can be expected.

- Alfred Korzybski

As a system, GS utilizes the principles and methods of modern science and applies them to most areas of human activity. It provides the means to improve your day-to-day activities, interactions, and relationships.

General Semantics was introduced in the book Science and Sanity by Alfred Korzybski. Originally printed in 1933, it is now in its fifth edition and has inspired many popularizations, over one hundred and fifty doctoral dissertations and two journals. It serves as the basis for educational courses in schools and universities, as well as seminars and training programs offered by the Institute.

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