Language: Language is the verbal or non-verbal communication between individuals by using words structured in a specific order (syntax). Spoken language uses different sounds (phonology). Words have different variations (morphology). Speaking is physiologically made possible through a vocal tract; only humans have this, therefore from a purely physiological perspective animals cannot "speak".
Examples of animal "language":
Vervet monkeys give different alarm calls ("cries") for different predators.
Alex the smart talking parrot.
Kanzi the Bonobo ape can talk via a lexigram (keyboard with pictures for words) and sign language. Tiko is her son, who is raised in this "bispecies" environment (raised by both the researcher and the ape) and will hopefully be able to speak fluently and behave like a human.
Guess: Theory of Perception is how we perceive (e.g. see, hear, feel, etc.) our environment. One example would be the theory that we already have stereotypes in our heads, and we "bend" the truth so it supports these ideas; by denying information that would refute the stereotype (subconsciously) and choosing to link/compare the data to the stereotype (consciously).
Theories:
Direct realism: Perception is reality, directly detected through sensory organs
Perceptual Relativity: Organisms perceive things differently.
Variation in Self: People like/dislike different things.
Indirect realism: Our perception/brain tricks us (e.g. to what it thinks we see)
Real World
Mind-independent Objects
Mediating through Senses: Senses interpret the reality.
Artificial Stimulus of Brain Produces 'Real' Sensation
Effects Indistinguishable from Reality: e.g. "imagine biting into a lemon"
Veil of Perception: Perception blocks out and/or changes information in the unconscious.
First off, let's define what this class actually is: Epistemology is the study of knowing. It deals with the nature of knowledge, how do we know things, what do we know, why we know, is what we know true, and what are the limits of knowledge.
Ways of Knowing (FLIMSIER):
Faith
Language
Imagination
Memory
Sense Perception
Intuition
Emotion
Reason
Areas of Knowledge (HH MARINE):
History
Human Sciences
Math
Arts
Religious Knowledge
Indigenous Knowledge
Natural Sciences
Ethics
We watched a picture of a face, made up of tiles. As we moved closer, the face became less and less seeable, only the tiles were left.
We also watched a video whilst doing the following task:
Before watching the video: Count how many times the team in white passes the ball!
How many passes did the team in white make?
Did you see the moonwalking bear?
I actually find this exercise quite fun, it shows how we can not see what we are not looking for. Watch the video again and you'll see the dancing bear coming in around the 15th second. Weird, right?
We watched a video with a Charlie Chaplin "mask" where both sides were as if they were the front. I put "mask" in quotation marks because I wonder if it was something built in, or how the optical illusion worked. Here it is:
If you liked the previous exercise, here's another interesting one about the so called McGurk Effect:
Look at the video.
Now listen to the video without looking at it (close your eyes).
Did you also hear different sounds with open and closed eyes (most people do)?
Summary of the video: The first picture showed a man making a "bah" sound, then another making a "fah" sound. The trick was that when we closed our eyes, we heard the second one also saying "bah". My guess is they were both doing the "bah" sound and the pictures only tricked our brains into thinking of the "f" sound because his teeth touched his lips. This would be an example of how on sense can confuse another.
A very well-known example originates from the culinary world: It is a proven fact that when you can't smell something you feel as if it didn't have flavour. Think about it. Remember when you had a blocked nose (e.g. because of a common cold) - didn't you find the food flavorless? If you need further proof, you can try this little "experiment" anytime you eat, as it is safe and not really time-consuming (as long as you remember to breathe through your mouth when your nose is blocked). For even more proof, here is a picture explaining the cause of this phenomenon:
Little tip for the home chefs: there is also a strong connection between smell and memory - you might make the next dinner more enjoyable by mixing in scents that you know the eaters associate with good memories (e.g. drop a few pine needles for decoration on the food and the scent could remind the eaters of Christmas).
Final Conclusion: Some perception is reliable to a specific degree, meaning you can't trust your sense perception 100% - it might be false.
Final Questions: Does light have color? Is perception a mirror of reality or the maker of reality?
How old are you? How might your age affect both what you know and your attitude toward gaining knowledge? I am 17 years old and since I am at the end of my years as a teenager, I question many things before automatically accepting them. I form my own opinions now, which I am ready to defend. I have gained lots of experience both inside the school and outside (life experience). I have travelled a lot, which contributes to my broader knowledge of cultures. However, I accept that I still have a lot to learn and I believe that as long as you live, you learn.
What is your mother tongue? What other languages do you speak? How might your particular language(s) affect your knowledge? My mother tongue is Hungarian, but I'm also fluent in English and German. I also have a basic knowledge of Russian and Spanish. Since I have learned many languages, I have become more open and tolerant towards other cultures.
What sex are you? Does your gender role affect how you see the world? Does it influence your expectations of what knowledge you should gain in your education? Male, I believe that my gender role does not largely affect how I see the world. I am one of those liberal guys who believe that in the biggest part, we control our own life. Call me crazy, but I really do.
Did you grow up in an urban area or a rural one? How might living in the countryside affect what and how you know? In the rural area of the capital city, meaning I could easily travel downtown, but still lived in a calm environment, next to a forest.
Have you always had enough to eat, felt safe and been able to get an education? How do you think that having these needs met – or not met – affect your present knowledge? Yes, I have. Because I have not experienced not having them firsthand, I have never had to really work for basic needs as hard as those, who didn't have them.
How would you describe your spiritual worldview? How might following a religion, or not doing so, affect your knowledge? On paper, I am a Russian orthodox Christian, but I do not follow that religion. In reality, I have a mixed worldview. I believe that there must be someone up there, but I can not decide who he/she/it is and if he/she/it is helpful or harmful by nature. However, I also believe that in the biggest part, we control our own life, that nothing is destined. Furthermore, I do not decline the belief of reincarnation.
How do cultural influences affect how you see the world? Do you identify with a particular culture? My mother is Hungarian, the daughter of very liberal parents and my father is Ukrainian, raised under USSR culture. Therefore, I was raised in a highly mixed household, where sometimes the cultures even coincided. I do not identify with a culture, however, I like the American open, liberal, tolerant, democratic culture.
sAre there any particular field of knowledge appeal to you strongly? Does your interest affect your current knowledge and your knowledge goals for the future? I don't really get the question, but if I do, then here it is: I'm a Humanities guy. I especially like History and foreign languages. My interest definitely affects my current knowledge, on a subconscious level - I forget stuff that I don't find interesting - and consciously, when given a choice, I choose fields of knowledge that interest me. How fascinating, I like stuff that are interesting to me, and I know (and want to know more) about stuff that are interesting...
The Theory of Knowledge class will evolve around philosophies and evaluating both the abstract and the concrete in a non-definitive manner.
We are going to answer questions about the different aspects of life itself.
There will not be a definitive answer, every answer will be correct in its own way. Any answer can be suggested as long as there is evidence to support the claim.
The class will be lead through discussions where all of the students will be asked to participate and present their own opinions and perspectives on ideas.
The different aspects evaluated will involve all 5 senses and utilize different schools of thoughts to evaluate the question posed.
