- Actant
In
sociology ,AI andprogramming language theory , actants are the principal concern of theactor-network theory , the activity of which is described as "mediation" or "translation".In sociology, the term "actant" is an approach neither to speak of "actors" (who act) nor of "
system s" (which behave). It was coined byBruno Latour . [(cf. "On actor-network theory. A few clarifications", "Soziale Welt", 47, 1996, p. 369-382)]Due credit must be paid to
Algirdas Julien Greimas (1917-1992), professor of Semiotics who is widely credited with producing the "actantial" model. The actantial model reveals the structural roles typically performed in story telling; such as "hero, villain (opponent of hero), object (of quest), helper (of hero) and sender (who initiates the quest)." Each of these roles fulfill an integral component of the story (or "narrative" if you prefer). Without the contribution of each actant, the story may be incomplete. Thus, an "actant" is not simply a character in a story, but an integral structural element upon which the narrative revolves.References
ee also
*
Actor model
*Science and technology studies
*Scientific Community Metaphor
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