Philosophy Of Man I Perception Essays - Cognitive Science

Philosophy Of Man I: Perception Philosophy of Man I: Perception Linguistic ability affects man in his specifically animal operations. Discuss with reference to any one of the senses. In the following assignment, we intend discussing the way our linguistic abilities affect man's specifically animal operations. We would like to start by pointing out the advantages this ability gives us, and how it distinguishes the human being from the animal. Moreover, we will analyse the way in which language influences us as human beings with particular reference to vision. It is a universally acknowledged fact that human beings possess a larger brain than animals. This allows us to co-ordinate our lives better and communicate with each other on a higher, more sophisticated level. We exchange information through the use of language. Language is a mode of communication where from a limited number of words we can produce an infinite number of sentences. It gives us the chance to discuss ideas, and look at the world with a critical eye. This process provides us with the opportunity to stimulate our intelligence which in turn enables us to improve our means of communication. It is of utmost importance to note that we have developed our linguistic abilities in as much as we not only have the option of interacting verbally and through signs but also on a written basis. This means that we do not always have to be face- to face with someone, but can also exchange information over long distances and refer across time. In other words the fundamental difference between man and all other creatures on the planet is that man has linguistic abilities and that we are able to reflect, whereas animals simply act on instinct. It is language which enables us to move from instinct to consciousness and self-consciousness. Through our ability to verbally communicate with each other, our language can replace and emphasise certain actions. Animals, on the other hand can only show affection towards each other by either licking each other's faces or playing together. We humans not only show affection through body contact, but also through the way we express ourselves. Furthermore, the only way that animals can solve their indifferences is through physically attacking each other, whereas we can resolve our interpersonal conflicts through a rational discussion. This is all due to the fact that human beings are able to verbally communicate their feelings, emotions and thoughts. The central question still to be examined is : How does language actually influence our specifically animal operations ? A case in point would be that when we look at an object, for example a tree, do we see it in its pure, realistic and natural way or is language imposing a certain influence on the way we look at this tree ? Do we regard it as an object of nature which is a tall woody plant having a single, usually, long and straight main stem, generally with a few or no branches on its lower part ? Or are we simply seeing it that way because of the context of the language in our culture ? One theory which supports this point of view is the Saphir - Whorf hypothesis. It suggests that the structure of a language influences the way in which its speakers view the world today. Since the languages of the world differ greatly in regard to their semantic and structural characteristics, it seems somewhat logical to argue that people speaking widely different languages would also differ in the way they viewed and thought about the world. An example may illustrate this point. If one must classify things such as camels, automobiles or snow in certain ways, then one must perceive them differently from someone who does not require to make these distinctions. Eskimos may have a number of different meanings for the word snow, whereas we only have one. In Maltese, for example, there is no word which specifically describes the word snow . It is translated as silg which literally translated means ice . From this we can deduce that it is still debatable whether we perceive the world in its real form or whether we are affected by the language of our society without us realising.