Leon Koj – In Search of Logic and Value: Logic, Semiotics, Science, and Axiology

Abstract

Leon Koj stands as a prominent figure among scholars of logical semiotics in Poland and as a distinguished representative of the community of semioticians, logicians, and methodologists that he helped establish within the philosophical milieu of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin. The article outlines the principal research problems addressed by Koj, presenting an overview of his major publications and their core theses. His work centers primarily on issues in philosophical logic, particularly the relationship between extension and intension, as well as the significance of the principle of the transparency of signs. Koj's philosophical inquiries also extend into the domain of axiology, focusing notably on the notion of normative commitments within scientific inquiry. Moreover, he engaged deeply with questions concerning the epistemic value of scientific knowledge. A central issue that commanded Koj’s attention was the nature of the sign and the principles governing its operation within communicative contexts. He proposed an event-based theory of the sign, whose foundational assumptions allow for a descriptive and explanatory framework for the conditions of communication and the comprehension of signs. The article further presents Koj's academic profile as a member of the UMCS scholarly community, highlighting his institutional roles, social engagement, and educational activity.