Sunday, January 25, 2009

Jan27 Summary (TFY C2, Language and Thought )

This chapter concerns the process of translating observations into words. In order to share our experiences with others through writing, we need to give much thought to our choice of words.

This chapter takes a close look at that process of translation. Clear thinking depends on a clear understanding of words we use. Words confusion leads to less consciousness, or disequilibrium, which can only be restored through word clarification. The test of our understanding of a word is our ability to define it. This ability is particularly important for words representing key ideas that we wish to explain or defend. Taking the time to define the words we use is an essential preliminary to genuine communication.

And the first stage of critical reading is objective receptivity to the material; this means having the technical ability as well as the willingness to accurately reproduce its content without alterations or distortions. If we question and interact with material that we have not accurately interpreted, our criticisms will not be fair or worthwhile.

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