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?
Yes.
> 2) Given only the following labels, which best describes linguistics
> as a discipline for you? (a) a scientific discipline (b) a philosophical
> discipline.
(a)
> 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) ... and how it works in society.
> 4) Do you consider yourself a scientist?
Yes, I use scientific methods when appropriate.
> 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.
(a) Tho I would say, rather, "the search for understanding".
> 6) Do you consider yourself a philosopher?
Yes, I use philosophic methods when appropriate.
> 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.
(a) Tho I would say, rather, "the search for understanding".
> Thanks.
Thank you for the opportunity to reflect.
I would also be interested in seeing the answers that others would make
to these alternative, open-ended questions:
3') What is your purpose in studying linguistics?
5') What do you understand the purpose of science to be?
7') What do you understand the purpose of philosophy to be?
Regards,
Yahya
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