“All of the Other Ways of Knowing Are Controlled by Language.” What Does This Statement Mean and Do You Think It Is a Fair Representation of the Relationship Between Perception, Emotion, Reason and Language?
Language is an important method of transmitting knowledge – it is the primary mode of communication, which is used in order to give or receive knowledge. For the purpose of this essay, language will be defined as an agreed method of communication that is either spoken or written, or intentionally transmitted through body language. The word “control”, in the statement above will be treated in the sense of “to regulate” or “to govern”. The statement means that perception, emotion and reason cannot function independently from language. Language plays an integral role in their ability to function. The statement suggests that without language, we would not be able to become aware of something using the senses, we would not be able to experience and express emotion, and we would not be able to reason.
To investigate the relationship between language and the other ways of knowing, I will explore the following knowledge issues. What is the relationship between language and perception and can perception function independently from language? What is the relationship between language and emotion and can emotion function independently from language? What is the relationship between language and reason and can reason function independently from language? Do different languages affect the ways of knowing differently? What is the overall relationship between the ways of knowing? I will examine how each of the other ways of knowing are controlled by language and give counterclaims for how they are not controlled by language. I will also explain my view of the relationship between perception, emotion, reason and language.
Firstly, I will explore the relationship between language and perception. Guy Deutscher gives a claim that supports the idea that language controls perception in his book, “Through the Language Glass” (Bellos, 2010). He claims that the colours people see are limited by their language. An example given is of the ancient Greek poet, Homer, who describes the sea
To investigate the relationship between language and the other ways of knowing, I will explore the following knowledge issues. What is the relationship between language and perception and can perception function independently from language? What is the relationship between language and emotion and can emotion function independently from language? What is the relationship between language and reason and can reason function independently from language? Do different languages affect the ways of knowing differently? What is the overall relationship between the ways of knowing? I will examine how each of the other ways of knowing are controlled by language and give counterclaims for how they are not controlled by language. I will also explain my view of the relationship between perception, emotion, reason and language.
Firstly, I will explore the relationship between language and perception. Guy Deutscher gives a claim that supports the idea that language controls perception in his book, “Through the Language Glass” (Bellos, 2010). He claims that the colours people see are limited by their language. An example given is of the ancient Greek poet, Homer, who describes the sea