Functional thinking as a methodology for understanding semantic evolution: The case of changing semantics of Terra – from “stomach of plants” to modern soil

This paper argues that functional analysis enables the comparison of social phenomena that are very different at first sight. A theoretical part demonstrates how functional analysis is part of semantic analysis in Luhmann's systems theory, here expanded by integrating the analysis of corporeal expressions of meaning. This approach is then applied to a case, namely, a comparison of different semantics as solutions to the problem of defining terra as materiality at the basis on which something may grow . In Old Europe, terra was considered the stomach of plants and perceived as a mixture of four elements which, due to this mixture, made plant growth possible. With functional differentiation and the evolution of modern society, this set of expressions of meaning dissolved, and terra is now understood as soil. Functional analysis thus allows insights to be gained into the variety of social solutions for specific reference problems.