Senior Theses
Publication Date
2011
Document Type
Thesis (Open Access)
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
Department
Philosophy
Faculty Advisor(s)
Jesús Ilundáin-Agurruza
Subject Categories
Philosophy
Abstract
To write of language is an unusual activity, for it is to describe something by, through, and with itself. This thesis not only defends the view advanced by Sapir and Whorf of linguistic relativism, but extends their thesis with an application of Heidegger, and conflates the terms of language and self. Ultimately, I believe this endeavor is one which is not successful, but which also yields significant implications for further thought on the philosophical relevance of linguistic relativism.
Section two presents some initial thoughts on language and self; the third section describes the terms of language, whereas the fourth one describes those of the self. A fifth section then deals with the general interactions and observations of the interrelatedness between these terms, with a conclusion which highlights the main insights of the inquiry. (A brief appendix with some remarks on poetry follows this thesis.)
Recommended Citation
Tompkins, Eric, "A Mind for Language: How Language Shapes Our Reality" (2011). Senior Theses. 3.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/philstud_theses/3
