saltmarch
How would it be possible- or is it- to form conscious thoughts without the use of language? Is language essential to become a fully realized human being? By that I don't mean to say that people who are mute, or intellectually impaired are not fully human, they are. But I'm more interested in how we think, the process of conscious thoughts and whether or not it is even possible without culturally agreed upon language to identify objects, feelings, emotions, actions, etc. And thought as different from mimicking or learned behaviour. Chimps may be able to reason using a twig to get ants from the hill, though it may be impossible to determine if it is a learned behaviour at least in the wild. raised in isolation, they may be able to reason the use of tools, but are they thinking consciously without language.
Sorry for rambling on-
Thanks
Bill Desmond
billdesmond@hotmauil.com
3 Answers
ROMOS
You,ve got to read this.
http://www.focusing.co.uk/PDFfiles/whyfocusingarticle.pdf
| 12 years ago. Rating: 3 | |
Chaplin Don
Higher language is what distinguishes man from all other created life. Conciousness is shared even by plant life, as has been demonstrated in controled experements. Many animals communicate through sounds and gestures, some are even complex. But only man can express and comprhend abstract ideas. Certainly babies experiance thoughts before gaining language skills, we all can think in pictures. Languge is a manifestation of inate logic in man, Letters and words are symbols, as are numbers, that represent the world we experiance through the senses. Once learned it's hard to imagine thinking without the use of language. It is such a usefull tool. Man was created as a relational being, meant to be in community. Language makes that most meaningfull. As for fully realized; I assume you mean reaching full potential? Language is key to learning from others. Who amoung us has oportunity or time in this world to experiance everything first hand? Languge is key for realization.
| 12 years ago. Rating: 2 | |
Chiangmai
I speak 3-4 languages fluently. I believe that most of the language-related ideas are on the subconscious level. Why? I am able to switch to a different language in a split of a second and I am sure my brain has to digest all the words spoken to me.
My answer is: Yes, language very much plays a part of my thought process. However, a casual conversation requires a subconscious involvement of language skill.
| 12 years ago. Rating: 1 | |
