Date: Fri, 31 Jan 1997 11:20:24 -0600
From: jlnich1-AT-service1.uky.edu
Subject: Re: General Question


>On Thu, 30 Jan 1997, J.L. Nicholas wrote:
>
>> Here's my point, and perhaps I need to read something more, but it seems
>> that from an evolutionary perspective, lanbgauge need not have evolved as a
>> means of understanidng, but as all things do, a means for survivial.  It
>> does not follow that if I am using langauge to be controlling or strategic
>> I must presume that langauage is aboiut understanding.  If we all have the
>> same understanding of langauge, that is, that it is about strategy, then we
>> all know we all are lying, anyway, and we just play a game with our lives
>> trying to outmaneuver each other.  Even so, we don't all have to have the
>> same understanding.  One great means of strategy is to convince most people
>> that by using langauge I am trying to reach understanding.  This way, I can
>> control with lanaguage and they won't realize it.  SO, I don't see that
>> Habermas' argument works.  Rather, in pre-history we all used lnaguage to
>> control.  Btu someone came along and revolutionized our values so that we
>> are conjcerned aboutTruth and Justice.  What a power ploy!
>
>
>I think you've missed his point.  It is because language is essentially
>about coming to an understanding that allows for one to be strategic.
>(Also understanding does  not necessarily lead to agreement.)  Language
>is the medium that is used to convince people and therefore yes to have
>control over them.  One of the main motivations for his work has been to
>attempt to come to understand the phenomena of his country's past - Nazi
>Germany.


No, I din't miss his point, This is exactly to what I am responding, viz.,
that languiage is essentially about coming to an understanding.  This is
not the case, because I can still use language strategically- we all can-
and not presuppose it is about understanding, but rather hold that
languaage is just another tool in the power game.  We all know this and are
just trying to move strategically as well as we can.  Whoever manipualtes
lang. best comes out the winner.

Jeffery