Hallo!
Trent Pehrson wrote:
> Most excellent list members,
>
> I make a humble request for the sole purpose of satiating my own
> curiosity. Please respond to the following, brief survey:
>
> 1) Do you consider yourself a linguist?
To a degree, yes, but only an amateur linguist. But then, linguistics
is just one of my hobbies.
> 2) Given only the following labels, which best describes linguistics
> as a discipline for you? (a) a scientific discipline (b) a philosophical
> discipline.
(a), though one that touches on philosophical issues sometimes.
> 3) Given only the following definitions, which comes closest to
> describing the purpose of linguistics for you? (a) learning to speak many
> languages. (b) learning the structures of languages. (c) learning how
> language works in the human mind. (d) defining and cataloging languages.
> (e) defining language at large. (e) the humanistic study of language and
> literature.
(c), also (b) and (d).
> 4) Do you consider yourself a scientist?
To some degree, but not professionally.
> 5) Given only the following definitions, which comes closest to
> describing the purpose of science for you? (a) the search for truth. (b)
> use of the scientific method to create theories by proving or disproving
> hypotheses (c) the process of discovering natural laws.
(b), mostly, but also (a) and (c).
> 6) Do you consider yourself a philosopher?
Not really.
> 7) Given only the following definitions, which comes closest to
> describing the purpose of philosophy for you? (a) the search for truth.
> (b) the pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline.
> (c) the study of the nature of reality based on logical reasoning rather
> than empirical methods. (d) a critical analysis of fundamental assumptions
> or beliefs. (e) a discipline comprising logic, ethics, aesthetics,
> metaphysics, and epistemology.
(d). But much philosophical writing I have seen amounts to (f) the art
of saying as little as possible with as much advanced and obfuscated
terminology as possible while trying to be intellectually fashionable.
Greetings,
Jörg.