Response to On Symbols and Society

I enjoyed learning about Kenneth Burke more through himself in his book than through the author of the article in Contemporary Perspectives. Burke posseses dry wit and is capable of expressing deep thought clearly through definition and analogy.
Some points from his work that stood out to me include the following:
Burke separates the meaning of the words 'action' and 'motion'. Motion, he claims, is possible to anything - all things can move or be moved. Action, on the other hand, is only possible to species who use symbols. Action implies intention and thought, and is directed movement. (53)
Man is unique because he defines things, ideas, states by using symbols. Language then, the means by which mankind communicates, is symbolic and words are symbols. These symbols, because they represent our surroundings and attitudes, are what compose reality. (58) Thus, although we create words, words also create us (59). We come to be defined by chosen symbols, and chosen symbols make up whatever it is that they label. It is a co-dependent system.
Something always 'is;' something never 'is not.' Therefore, when we use negatives to define what something 'is not,' we are merely using a symbolic convention (63).
Strategies are specific types of symbols used by man to define a different type of symbol called a situation (77). Although a situation could be called simply what it is, strategies allow evaluation and consideration of all components of the situation.
Practical Acts are those we label simply and definitively. Symbolic Acts are attitudinal, those that we express and explain (79).
Semantic Meaning is basic, practical, and limited. Poetic Meaning is complex, idealistic, and broad. Both are needed and work together to perfect man's system of symbols (86-106).