For a Two-Dimensional Semantics and a Tripolar Semiotics. The Dialogue between Buhler and Meinong, beyond Russell

Vienna and Graz are here related because of the Austro-German philosophical context, which pulls philosophy closer to psychology and finds true pathfinders in Brentano's psychology from an empirical standpoint and in Ktilpe's psychology of thought. Written exchanges are considered: letters between Buhler and Meinong (1907-1920) and quotations and references by Buhler (esp. 1926-1934) concerning private Meinong communications and the Meinong school (Ameseder, Malty). Nevertheless, Meinong is not ready to encounter Buhler's pivotal topic, his turning point in response to the crisis in psychology, i.e. his theory of language - the valuable sign-exchange - which unifies conflicting approaches to psychic life, and objectifies intra- and intersubjective dynamism. Meinong's focus remains his theory of objects. Though Russell ascribes the development of his own theory of description in referential semantics to Meinong's problematic ontology, Russell's empiricist assumptions prohibit that "transformation of positivism", (Lindenfeld) towards semantic and ontological pluralism, which takes place in European thought, due even to Meinong.