‘To what extent is thought dependent on Language?’
The form of communication known as language, can engulf that of spoken and that of written styles. Yet as the language of the spoken and written form is used often and almost constantly in the lives we live, thought is not heavily dependent on the way of knowledge or obtaining knowledge through the use of language. This occurs due to the main use of language being used as a reinforcement to a concept, or to something that someone has just learned, and that language can be misinterpreted causing major mistakes and in the end having caused a catastrophe or a disaster in its extremes.
This phase of language being used as a way for thought to be transferred, is mainly used, yet the thought of language being used as a main tool for thought to be expressed and found can be credible and believable. This belief of how truth can only be transferred by language is logical, as both written and verbal language is used to convey the knowledge which has been obtained. But with this method of using language to convey the messages, we find that there are a few loopholes within the way of knowing of language.
These loopholes for language are few but crucially disadvantaged making language quite flawed. These flaws within the language are the ability for people to manipulate language for their advantages and the ability of how language can have numerous misunderstandings causing minor difficulties such as loss of relationships to cataclysmic events such as the misunderstanding which had occured and ended with the dropping of the atomic bomb over Hiroshima in the year of 1945. Thus the extent of language can only be used as a way for the knowledge and truths to be conveyed to other people.
Selasa, 01 Desember 2009
Rabu, 04 November 2009
Theory of Knowledge Prompt: Language
“Can language be compared with other human forms of symbolic represantation, such as gestures, sign language for the deaf, dance, painting, music or mathematics? What might language share with these other forms in the communication of what we know? In what ways might it be considered distinct?”
Language, defined from the dictionary translates into: ‘A body of words and the systems for their use common to a people who are of the same community or nation, the same geographical area, or the same cultural tradition.’ Thus this technically refers to the verbal language that we commonly speak within our surroundings to communicate what we are currently feeling, or a way that we can convey an idea. And the dictionary definition of communication refers to: ‘The imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs.’
Shown by the definitions above and the definition of communication show that Language is also a way to communicate our thought, opinions or information, thus we are able to compare the process of communication through Language as well as that of using our body to create its own “language” in order to convey ideas. Being able to compare the different ways of communication comes from the many similarities in which they share within themselves.
Yet, people seem to split the idea of Language and the other concepts of communication, due to the thought of ‘Spoken’ language is a much more advanced form of communication rather than that of the body (e.g. sign language, dance). This stereotype concerning the superiority of spoken language, may come from the common and constant use of our mouth to convey these ideas, information, opinions, feelings, etc. But these different forms of communication (e.g. speech, writing, dance, painting) are the same concerning the definition of communication, thus these are similar and should be able to be compared with the Spoken language.
Language, defined from the dictionary translates into: ‘A body of words and the systems for their use common to a people who are of the same community or nation, the same geographical area, or the same cultural tradition.’ Thus this technically refers to the verbal language that we commonly speak within our surroundings to communicate what we are currently feeling, or a way that we can convey an idea. And the dictionary definition of communication refers to: ‘The imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs.’
Shown by the definitions above and the definition of communication show that Language is also a way to communicate our thought, opinions or information, thus we are able to compare the process of communication through Language as well as that of using our body to create its own “language” in order to convey ideas. Being able to compare the different ways of communication comes from the many similarities in which they share within themselves.
Yet, people seem to split the idea of Language and the other concepts of communication, due to the thought of ‘Spoken’ language is a much more advanced form of communication rather than that of the body (e.g. sign language, dance). This stereotype concerning the superiority of spoken language, may come from the common and constant use of our mouth to convey these ideas, information, opinions, feelings, etc. But these different forms of communication (e.g. speech, writing, dance, painting) are the same concerning the definition of communication, thus these are similar and should be able to be compared with the Spoken language.
Minggu, 11 Oktober 2009
Theory of Knowledge Prompt: Culture
What is the role of culture and language in the perceptual process? Given the partially subjective nature of sense-perception, how can different knowers ever agree on what is perceived? Do people with different cultural or linguistic backgrounds live, in some sense, in different worlds?
The role played by culture and language in the perceptual process is an important role as the way that the education a young child recieves will affect the way that he sees the world. Culture and Language will also affect this proces due to the child recieving different styles of education from what he reads and what he hears will affect the perception processes. But language also affects perception as words within languages will represent different meanings (e.g. Anjing, in Indonesia, this word means dog, whereas in Chinese it means be quiet). Thus this explains how the language will affect the perceptual process of the person.
But also Culture affects perceptual process, as different cultures may have clashes because of the differences. These maybe caused as different cultures have different do’s and taboo’s which affect the “rules” of how someone may interact with another, yet another culture may have another do and taboo which can be on parallels with the other cultures.
The agreement created between different knowers will often come from the many arguments and solutions within the process of creating general knowledge which would be known by society. These pieces of knowledge may come from the compromises that may have been met or created during the creation of general knowledge.
People with different cultural or linguistic backgrounds, may live in a different world in another culture as they may not be able to understand the language or cultural processes. This may occur due to the culture clashes that have occured during the time in which, these cultural processes that you have learned during the childhood will cause a person to live in a different world when they are placed in an environment where they are not comfortable or knowledgable about the culture being interacted with.
The role played by culture and language in the perceptual process is an important role as the way that the education a young child recieves will affect the way that he sees the world. Culture and Language will also affect this proces due to the child recieving different styles of education from what he reads and what he hears will affect the perception processes. But language also affects perception as words within languages will represent different meanings (e.g. Anjing, in Indonesia, this word means dog, whereas in Chinese it means be quiet). Thus this explains how the language will affect the perceptual process of the person.
But also Culture affects perceptual process, as different cultures may have clashes because of the differences. These maybe caused as different cultures have different do’s and taboo’s which affect the “rules” of how someone may interact with another, yet another culture may have another do and taboo which can be on parallels with the other cultures.
The agreement created between different knowers will often come from the many arguments and solutions within the process of creating general knowledge which would be known by society. These pieces of knowledge may come from the compromises that may have been met or created during the creation of general knowledge.
People with different cultural or linguistic backgrounds, may live in a different world in another culture as they may not be able to understand the language or cultural processes. This may occur due to the culture clashes that have occured during the time in which, these cultural processes that you have learned during the childhood will cause a person to live in a different world when they are placed in an environment where they are not comfortable or knowledgable about the culture being interacted with.
Plato's Cave and Matrix
Theory of Knowledge Prompt: Matrix – Plato’s Cave Comparison
The movie the Matrix and the picture of Plato’s cave share huge similarities, which could even possibly said that the matrix itself was based on Plato’s drawing of the cave. The cave which houses people tied to see only the front, and cant see anything else are only believing what they see on what seems to be a “movie” wall. The great fire being kindled behind them used to constantly trick them to make them believe only what possibly the authorities will want them to believe. These projections on the wall of a puppet show, constantly shown to the chained people, show how the human mind can be tricked into presuming that what they are currently seeing is the true reality in which they are living in.
The Matrix shares this theory of having people chained and only able to look at the projections in front of them and turn them into the reality that the victim is currently living in. Within the story presented by the movie, similarities between Plato’s cave and the movie itself can be seen, most obviously shown during the beginning, but the whole movie in its entirety of the virtual reality created by the computer system is the show that is being put on in the “cave”. These two pictures show that the mind can be tricked into believing that we see can be false, and there may be other truths lying out there that need to be discovered. But as well as being critical of what we see and what we believe, we should always try to create a 2nd mind set as a path that our mind can go down should it want to try to decipher another mystery and create another truth.
The movie the Matrix and the picture of Plato’s cave share huge similarities, which could even possibly said that the matrix itself was based on Plato’s drawing of the cave. The cave which houses people tied to see only the front, and cant see anything else are only believing what they see on what seems to be a “movie” wall. The great fire being kindled behind them used to constantly trick them to make them believe only what possibly the authorities will want them to believe. These projections on the wall of a puppet show, constantly shown to the chained people, show how the human mind can be tricked into presuming that what they are currently seeing is the true reality in which they are living in.
The Matrix shares this theory of having people chained and only able to look at the projections in front of them and turn them into the reality that the victim is currently living in. Within the story presented by the movie, similarities between Plato’s cave and the movie itself can be seen, most obviously shown during the beginning, but the whole movie in its entirety of the virtual reality created by the computer system is the show that is being put on in the “cave”. These two pictures show that the mind can be tricked into believing that we see can be false, and there may be other truths lying out there that need to be discovered. But as well as being critical of what we see and what we believe, we should always try to create a 2nd mind set as a path that our mind can go down should it want to try to decipher another mystery and create another truth.
“By Doubting we are led to Enquire, by Enquiry, we percieve Truth” – Peter Abelard.
“By Doubting we are led to Enquire, by Enquiry, we percieve Truth” – Peter Abelard.
This statement or quote mention by Peter Abelard states that if we doubt, we will soon be curious to enquire about the topic, and after we start enquiring about the topic at hand, we will be able to learn and know about the truth. What made famous philosophers think about complex problems and try to create a solution or find the “truth” that could be linked with the problem they were dealing with, was their constant questioning. With this constant questioning of theories, and possibly realities, these philosophers soon became led to knowing the truth that is often taken as realities in the lives of modern day people.
“By Doubting we are led to Enquire,...” this statement shows the above, but means overall that not only doubting, but also questioning the theory could lead us to the inquiry. The inquiry part of the statement relates to how other people, or ourselves find a way to percieve or obtain the truth. Thus “...by Enquiry, we percieve Truth” has been fulfilled, and we have finally been able to come to terms and percieve the truth.
Senin, 31 Agustus 2009
Theory of Knowledge Prompt: Knowledge
G. K. Chesterton: "It is very good for a man to talk about what he does not understand; as long as he understands that he does not understand it.”
This statement represents a few very important points in man's search for knowledge, and their thirst for enlightenment. Some of these points maybe pointed out simply as:
- Man continues to thirst for knowledge
- We search answers for those that don't have one
- We discuss with each other although we don't understand
this 3 statements can be altogether linked with this statement as the main point of " talk about what he does not understand" shows that us as mankind, continually search for answers, and we do this through many ways, these may include: observation through experimentation, discussion with others, and methods such as obtaining evidence through empiricism (sense perception). But even though we try and strive to obtain this evidence or search for this knowledge, we must be aware that we are treading and venturing off to unknown grounds. Therefore those who endeavour to enlighten others, must be careful, the uncharted territory that they roam in could actually prove to be dangerous, thus explaining the "...as long as he understands that he does not understand it.” part of the statement.
Although it is good for humans to start questioning the knowledge that they have obtained, and try to strive further and further within this dark abyss, we must always keep in mind and realize that this uncharted territory must always be entered with a certain frame of mind that must be weary and always cautious of their surroundings
This statement represents a few very important points in man's search for knowledge, and their thirst for enlightenment. Some of these points maybe pointed out simply as:
- Man continues to thirst for knowledge
- We search answers for those that don't have one
- We discuss with each other although we don't understand
this 3 statements can be altogether linked with this statement as the main point of " talk about what he does not understand" shows that us as mankind, continually search for answers, and we do this through many ways, these may include: observation through experimentation, discussion with others, and methods such as obtaining evidence through empiricism (sense perception). But even though we try and strive to obtain this evidence or search for this knowledge, we must be aware that we are treading and venturing off to unknown grounds. Therefore those who endeavour to enlighten others, must be careful, the uncharted territory that they roam in could actually prove to be dangerous, thus explaining the "...as long as he understands that he does not understand it.” part of the statement.
Although it is good for humans to start questioning the knowledge that they have obtained, and try to strive further and further within this dark abyss, we must always keep in mind and realize that this uncharted territory must always be entered with a certain frame of mind that must be weary and always cautious of their surroundings
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