Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id LAA05863 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Mon, 26 Feb 2001 11:04:49 GMT Message-ID: <2D1C159B783DD211808A006008062D3101745CAD@inchna.stir.ac.uk> From: Vincent Campbell <v.p.campbell@stir.ac.uk> To: "'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> Subject: RE: Lesser genes than expected Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 11:02:48 -0000 X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) Content-Type: text/plain Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
> >> All I meant was that whichever language one learns as a native tongue
> shapes our perception.
>
> <So, speaking a different language shapes our perception.
> As a result of that, we should have a different perception of the world !?
> And in addition, writing you in English would change my perception for the
> good or for the worst !?
> Ideas, yours or mine in whatever language expressed are still the same
> ideas,
> no !?
> So, where do you see a change in perception due to the different use of
> language !?
> If I see the sun coming up, would that be different if I express myself
> into
> English or in Dutch !?>
>
First, I wouldn't regard the impact of language and perception in a
normative manner- i.e. that one perception is better than another.
Second, ideas can be differently expressed in different languages
(zeitgeist and heimat have no equivalents in English for example).
Third, it is more in the sense of self-perception rather than
perception of things like sunrise. You said in a recent post you felt that
in some sense people are born Christian because of the community around
them. But that's precisely what I'm talking about- the perception many
people have about their own identity and their own beliefs, that feel innate
to them but categorically aren't, are mere products of their surrounding
culture (whether that be particular religious or political beliefs, how one
defines one's national identity etc.).
It doesn't matter how much one feels christian, or liberal or
English, or whatever, no-one is born with those characteristics in their
genes (as much as we like to think so). The fact that all people feel some
thing(s) with this intensity doesn't make it something biological passed
from generation to generation. I know that's what along the lines of what
you think Kenneth, but I just don't see any evidence for it.
Vincent
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