The Symbol as a Catalyst for Shared Meanings

Stefano Monti explores the enduring human reliance on symbols, from prehistoric marks to modern logos, and their role in synthesizing complex information to foster social belonging. He argues that representation—through drawing, music, writing, or visual art—trains the mind to comprehend reality, shaping personal worldviews that are refined through debate, especially on controversial topics. Monti contends that understanding contemporary symbols is urgent, as they help individuals construct a coherent vision of the world. He cites the Palestinian flag as a polysemic symbol: in protests, it represents opposition to Netanyahu's military actions, the legitimacy of Israel, war crimes, global economic-political systems, the killing of children, or war itself. This multiplicity of meanings, he notes, reflects society's struggle to produce symbols that synthesize worldviews in an age of sensory overload. Art, historically a primary vehicle for symbolic creation, has lost this function due to choice, social isolation, and value chains. Monti calls for a return to symbols as tools for constructive debate, not dogmas or slogans, emphasizing that representing the world is an evolutionary function that helps define one's place in it.