The Role of Specified Language in the Assimilation of Ideas: How Humanistic Science, Cultural Narratives, and Language Drive Behavior

Abstract

Language plays a crucial role in the presentation and acceptance of ideas. The specificity of language particularly within the humanities and social sciences infers a perspective, world-view, and implied connection of the human person to their environment that leads to a potential bias in their acceptance of new ideas as well as ideas entertained by the field of knowledge. Arthur C. Clarke once stated that “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”. In this context, modern ideology is a technological means for understanding the self - as medieval doctors used blood letting to release spirits, 19th century neurologists gave lobotomies to stop psychosis, and with our current world-view our system of understanding imposed upon the human being leads both society and individuals to hold notions and beliefs about their potential, their growth, and their state of being. Based on how ideas are transferred in language, and the specific language of the humanistic sciences, we are led to an assimilation of ideas within the human person in their behavior and active pursuit of their potential. Systems of belief conveyed implicitly through language will develop one’s mindset to be predisposed to the acceptance or denial of real phenomena in the world based on the limitations or expansions of their personal language use. Our very minds are prey to our acculturation to specified systems of language, whether it be poetic or scientific language, we are directed into ideological frameworks that influence our openness to ideas and ultimately guide our interactions in the world.

Presenters

Daniel Rynerson
Adjunct Professor, Psychology, Montclair State University, New Jersey, United States

Details

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Theme

2024 Special Focus—Traveling Concepts: The Transfer and Translation of Ideas in the Humanities

KEYWORDS

Language, Culture, Humanistic, Social, Science, Mindset, Mindfulness