The Growth Of American Individuality - 1721 Words

The Growth of American Individuality in Relation to Self-Expression Religion is an imperfect savior. Primitive civilizations depended on religion to explain the workings of the world; they depended on gods to protect their crops and homes from disease, drought, and other disasters far out of human control. While this dependency provided comfort, it sacrificed individuality. Recent years has seen the rise of alternative forms of media: novels, digital music, movies. These were not available to previous civilizations. Early Americans only had access to the Bible, which was unreadable to the average illiterate. Newer forms of media have spurned a nation-wide reflection on the old traditions that were largely set by religion. Ever since the founding of the colonies, and ever since more diverse forms of self-expression have become more accessible, Americans have grown in individuality as they have become less dependent on religion. The Puritans were the first of the Europeans to settle in the Americas. While their traditions have left a profound mark on American culture, their strict ways are rather peculiar. In The Crucible, Arthur Miller critiques Puritan society as close-minded and obsessed about maintaining conformity. â€Å"The parochial snobbery of these people was partly responsible for their failure to convert the Indians. Probably they also preferred to take land from heathens rather than from fellow Christians† (140). The Puritans revolved their culture around religion,Show MoreRelated The Problems of Individuallity and Conformity Within a Society1688 Words   |  7 Pageswhere people come to be free from persecution and express their thoughts and opinions. This founding principle led American society to pull away from conformity and pushes for individuality. Many family TV shows and several media outlets propagate individuality as a source of pride and evidence of personal growth. In the American society, children are taught at a young age that in dividuality creates personality. However, as an individual grows, they are forced to choice sides on issues, thus placing themRead MoreIndividuality Vs Conformity Essay1605 Words   |  7 Pagesbetter, for worse, as his portion.† As human beings, we always encounter the critical decision in our daily lives of whether to pursue individuality or conformity in various situations. Although I believe that individuality is certainly more powerful than conformity, I noticed that many ignore the necessity of harmony between individualism and conformity. If individuality is absolutely more powerful to the point that we should never accept conformity, then should we avoid conforming to the laws of ourRead MoreHistorical Background of The Color Purple, I know why the caged bird sings, and The Awakening1383 Words   |  6 Pages This crushes their self-confidences and hampers their growth as an individual. In the case of Edna Pontellier, it is society that holds her growth in check beca use it frowns upon women who are not subservient to their husband. In every novel, a close companion helps the leading ladies on their way to independence. In â€Å"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings† it is a female character, Mrs. Bertha Flowers, helps promote the shy Maya’s individuality. It is a similar case in â€Å"The Awakening†, in which anotherRead MoreAnalysis Of `` On Self Respect `` By Joan Didion1077 Words   |  5 Pagesof self-respect and the honesty we have for ourselves. Richard Rodriguez, in his essay â€Å" Aria- A Memoir of A Bilingual Childhood†, also explores the relationship between individual and public. However, the lost of private individuality may,in some way, be the growth of a bilingual child. â€Å"Spanish seemed to me the language of home. It became the language of joyful return.† As a young child, Rodriguez found safety and comfort in his Spanish-speaking family which provided him with love and securityRead MoreErikson s Theory Of Lifespan1471 Words   |  6 Pagesdemonstrated through certainty about sex roles, an active interest in the opposite sex, while unsuccessful resolution is represented in doubts of identity and lack of confidence (Erikson handout, 2017.) However, not everyone fits into a â€Å"mainstream† individuality, neglecting them from inclusion in the theory at this stage. For these individuals, it may cause conflict within the stage and a different representation in their lifespan. Women, for example, would have a different development at this stage thanRead MoreThe Current Value Of America1431 Words   |  6 PagesThe current value that America holds on to the closest is individualism. According to a study conducted by Pew Global, â€Å"nearly six-in-ten (58%) Americans believe it is more important for everyone to be free to pursue their life’s goals without interference from the state† (â€Å"The American-Western European†, 21). This number is quite high compared to other countries, such as Britain with 38% and Germany with 26%, and attributes to our nation’s ideology. America was founded to be independent and freeRead MoreThe Human Relations Approach Leaves Room For Creativity And Entrepreneurship912 Words   |  4 Pagesenvironment, often there is no room for personal growth, or socio-psychological development. Mas low defined self-actualization as â€Å"to become that which one is capable of becoming or the realization of one’s potentialities† (Bryman, 1976). In a classically managed environment, formal organization structure prohibits the attainment of self-actualization by design (Bryman, 1976). In the classically structured organization, the human element is lost as individuality is sacrificed for specialized efficiencyRead MoreIndian Assimilation from early 1800 - late 1900 Essay1172 Words   |  5 Pageswere fighting for dominance in the U.S., the American government developed a plan to eradicate the First Nations’ roots, buying into the philosophy of Captain Richard H. Pratt when he stated that instead of killing all the Natives it would be of more use to â€Å"kill the Indian, and save the man† (â€Å"Kill†). Between the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the United States government used boarding schools to try to assimilate Native Americ ans into modern American culture; however, these plans only alienatedRead MoreExamination of the Education System in Idiot Nation, by Michael Moore 1351 Words   |  5 PagesIn his essay, â€Å"Idiot Nation,† Michael Moore directly conveys the horrid truth behind American education when he utters the sheer words, â€Å"the knowledge (students) acquire in school is not going to serve them throughout their lifetimes. Many of them will have four to five careers in a lifetime. It will be their ability to navigate information that will matter† (Moore 141). According to Moore, American education today is by no means preparing students for the real world of work. In fact, he infers thatRead MoreJean-Jacques Rousseau and John Locke: Their Relevance for American Society 1811 Words   |  7 Pagesboth John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, differ in their relevance for American Society; Locke appears to possess notions that are more relevant and realistic for society today, how ever, he does tend to place a little to much emphasis on individuality which is why Rousseau’s thoughts are necessary to invigorate democracy. Between Locke and Rousseau, Locke proves to have thoughts that are more relevant for contemporary American society, specifically his views on an individual’s freedom and the notion

Crically Evaluate the Claim That Infants Have an Innate...

Critically evaluate the claim that infants have an innate knowledge of object properties. Use evidence to support your arguments. Object properties have been systematically associated with the Piagetian approach of cognitive development and in particular the sensorimotor period. Until the 1970’s, Piaget’s influential stance that knowledge of object properties is only learned from around nine months old had not been questioned. However, due to more contemporary studies there have been claims that not only do younger infants exhibit behaviours suggesting that Piaget’s assumptions may underestimate cognitive abilities but some studies have controversially suggested that newborns have shown to have a certain amount of innate knowledge. This†¦show more content†¦Interestingly though, some researchers do not halt at the suggestion that Piaget underestimated younger infants cognitive abilities, but instead refute Piaget’s assumption that ‘humans do not start out as cognitive beings’ (Berk, 2009) and in fact have some innate cognitive abilities. There have been suggesti ons that knowledge of object properties depends on visual information relating to perceptual abilities of the infant, addressed in a study by Valenza, Zulian and Leo (2005). They tested infants’ ability to recognise a correspondence between one version of a simple shape with another. Results showed infants recognised a correspondence more between a partly occluded shape and a non occluded shape than a non occluded shape and an unoccluded shape with a gap, implying that there may be some innate ability. The importance of the simplicity of the shapes used in Valenza et al’s study (2005) had been addressed by other researchers such as Kellman and Spelke (1983) who stated that the type of visual information used by younger infants differs from the visual information used by older children, therefore implying that there may be different thresholds of information needed for

The metaphorical language Free Essays

The metaphorical language is not unusual in the English language. It is used variedly and very often not just as a form of speech. Metaphors are a form of thought with its distinct epistemological functions. We will write a custom essay sample on The metaphorical language or any similar topic only for you Order Now A metaphor is a direct comparison between two or more seemingly unrelated subjects. It is a description of the first subject as being or equal to the second subject in a way. The implicit and explicit attributes of the second subjects are used to enhance the second subject’s description. This form is usually used in literature to convey expressions or associations to correlate context. Used in rhetoric, metaphors are direct equation of terms that is more assertive than just simple analogy of subjects. It provides foundation for thinking, reasoning and understanding of our culture.(2006) Metaphor is greatly used in comprising ordinary concepts, motivating semantic change and meaning of linguistic expressions and in a way influencing people to make sense of the true meanings of words. Ordinary concepts are explained through mentioning their similarities and differences against one another. Semantic change can be brought forth by metaphors used properly and metaphors used greatly enhance how meanings are given to words and concepts.   Using metaphors allows writers and people in general to convey ideas that are creatively put in a way and that is easier to understand that just using the literal language. Metaphors are directly stated and can help capture the true essence between two subjects’ distinctiveness. Metaphors not only perform its functions in literary writing, it also has social functions. The use of metaphors reinforces the connection between speaker and listeners. We realize that the popularity of the use of metaphors is due to the fact that people use and understand them. There is an instant connection between speakers and listeners if a metaphorical expression is used because most metaphors are commonly used.   Metaphors are often used by philosophers like Plato in their arguments and speeches to convey ideas and expressions. Metaphors help them explains these concepts more to their listeners, even at time enhance the meanings in the concepts they use. It also gives other people the individual approach and beliefs of each one of us. Metaphors are consistently used in political reasoning and justification of foreign policies. Given the said quotation by Richard Gibbs in 1994, we will evaluate the use of metaphors in politics. How metaphors are used, what metaphors are used, and what are the meanings and implications of these metaphors. This exploration of the usage of metaphors will help us understand why metaphors are great influence in our lives. They are not only used as a language and as words to express, but also have meaning which holds significant importance to each of us. Often times, metaphors are used because it is better and easier to understand them than the literal form of language used. This happens when people realize the association between the concepts. This strengthens how the words and concepts are used by people. In recent political language, metaphors are clearly seen used frequently by people. An election campaign, for example, is referred to as a war or race of candidate vying for a certain position in the government. Other metaphors used in politics constantly change with time and location, and several meaning can be diverse due to certain persons’ understanding of the concrete metaphor. An example of metaphors used in government language is nanny politics. This is referred to as laws and bills characterize as a protection for the masses against bad entrepreneurs according to critics. Consumer protection laws are coined as mommy politics, laws that outlaws anything that is dangerous for anyone no matter where they are. These understanding are criticisms often addressed in metaphors. (2006) Metaphors according to Gibbs are also the link used between a concept and the bodily experience.(Miyakoshi 2006) The difference between embodied metaphor and abstraction from experience is distinguishable from the rise of metaphors from reality. The concepts are from the experiences of the individual; in this case, metaphors of politics are derived from observations of the people regarding how the reality in politics works. In a study conducted by Vervaeke and Kennedy in 1996 draws their analysis on several metaphors with regards to a study also done by Lakoff and Johnson in 1980. They both presented a broad range of interpretations of the metaphors used not only in politics but also other areas as well. In political context, for example, the statement â€Å"argument is war† can be interpreted in various ways. The researchers concluded that whenever the words â€Å"maneuver†, â€Å"strategy† or â€Å"defend† are used, any of which are used as metaphors for the other words as well. The intentions of these metaphors are to express the underlying concepts of either a war, athletic competition or a game.(Ritchie 2004) The history regarding depicting metaphors as important speech forms in society had been part of Lakoff and Johnson researches done in 1980. The study regarding metaphors had concluded a lot of observations that Richard Gibbs agrees to as well. War and race is very much used in the metaphors used in politics. The metaphors used in politics are greatly seen as correlated with observations regarding how the political system works. This enables people to derive their interpretation of the metaphors. Evaluating the quote regarding politics using metaphors used in war and sports is due to the observations of people on politics being confrontations. It may also be because people see politics like events seen in war and in sports. In sports, people compete, challenge one another, win and lose. This is also seen in politics. This presents a strong relationship between the two subjects and entities to be compared to one another. In war, there is also the fact of losing and winning a war, the defeat and the triumph is also experienced in politics. There are many contributing factors as to why these three subjects are interrelated often times. Metaphors are one way to express the similarities observed by people with the subjects conce rned. Metaphors are strongly and often used in politics to address an idea and expression. The language is simple, often times very understandable by people. The meanings for these metaphors can greatly change over time and place, whether it may be negative or a positive attribution of the subjects. Through metaphors, words can be played creatively with meanings still discernable. The effectiveness of the metaphors can be gauged by how the meanings still remain after the attribution done with different concepts. Meanings are in people. A cohesive meaning attributed to a specific metaphor is effective in expressing in another way the concepts in politics. (2006). â€Å"metaphors.†Ã‚  Ã‚   Retrieved october 22, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphor. (2006). â€Å"metaphors.†Ã‚  Ã‚   Retrieved october 22, 2006, from http://webserve.govst.edu/users/ghrank/Political/Not-So-Great%20Expectations/metaphors.htm. Miyakoshi, R. R. a. K. (2006) Eighth Speaker: Raymond Gibbs Questions and Answer.   Volume, 1 DOI: Ritchie, L. D. (2004). â€Å"Lost in â€Å"Conceptual Space†: Metaphors of Conceptual Integration.† References: {, 2006 #2} {Graff, 2006 #5} {Kà ¶vecses, 2006 #8} {Zyngier, 2006 #9} How to cite The metaphorical language, Essay examples