The Role of Language in History

Through the extensive regulation and manipulation of language within certain historical events presented in history text books, events are comprehended to a certain extent by the readers. Despite the purpose of language of communicating thoughts and share facts and information, language has the ability to alter one's ideas and perspective of a certain historical event through the implementation of persuasive techniques and diction, grammar, and powerful figurative language, that all in all either uncovers or masks information. Moreover, through the strategic use of specific language, one side of a story can be only portrayed, which contributes to the distortion of information and facts within history leading to the possible formation of stereotypes amongst a group of people or nation within the historical time period, which has future consequences that may be harmful since generalizations are formed and attributed to every individual as a result of the deliberate use of particular expression through diction.

From the use of persuasive and thorough language, certain impressions are implanted in the reader's head, thus bias can be introduced into historical events. Through the strategic use of persuasive words, the author portrays one side of the story through expressing their personal emotions and opinions that has the ability to alter the reader's standpoint. In addition, by masking the other stories or perspectives, bias arises, which once again leads to the formation of the incomplete portrayal of a group of people or an event that also leads to the formation of stereotypes.

Furthermore, language has the ability to help or hinder the interpretation of historical facts due to the variety of cultures and languages; once primary historical records, extracted from different locations around the world, are translated to secondary sources, meaning is lost or misunderstood. This results in the inaccuracy within the historical representation of an event or group of people that hinders the historical representation. On the other hand, if language is used in a strengthening manner that only draws a vivid image in one's head of an accurate representation, then it can be said that language contributes and aids within historical interpretation.  

Knowledge Questions:

1.      To what degree does persuasive language alter the essence of a historical event?

2.      To what extent does reason play a role in history?

Quantitative Psychology

In attempts to answer the following question: "to what extent can information in the human sciences be quantified?", it can be said that this statement applies to  quantitative psychology, which is the study of methods and techniques for the measurement of human attributes, the statistical and mathematical modeling of psychological processes, the design of research studies and the analysis of psychological data. However sometimes, assessing quantitative reasoning is limited due to access to certain materials that can be used in research and development.

However an example of an application within the field of quantitative psychology majorly includes mental testing, and the most well-known being intelligence testing, which is creating a standardized test for rating a person's intelligence. Initially scientists attempted to incorporate the study of human diversity and the study of inheritance of human traits, but it is now accessible for one to complete a standardized test and be given a rating for their intelligence; the test is scored in terms of intelligence quotient or IQ. They are psychological tests that are designed to measure a variety of mental functions, such as reasoning, comprehension, and judgment. Therefore, overall, to some extent, the information in the human sciences, for the most part psychology, can be quantified.

Scientific Language

Language is a powerful communication tool that is essential to science in order to reason and argue, as well as share common knowledge, thoughts, ideas, and terminology that will allow scientists to coherently understand scientific concepts and processes. The sharing of the common language itself supplies a sturdy structure for the basis of formulating hypotheses, experiments, conclusions, and evaluations, in which the production of such aspects of science regulate the construction of philosophies and their validity. When formulating new scientific ideas the use of the 'right' words can successfully put the thought into perspective with the purpose of bringing it to life. Therefore the use of the appropriate language does have an impact on the frequency and success of certain scientific inventions. Moreover, through the use of specific linguistic devices, mental images are illustrated, in which aid in the processing of innovative ideas as well as cause the arousal of brain activity, which assists in maintaining the brain at a healthy state.

On the other hand language plays a negative role in the evolution of scientific thought as a result of abuse of certain properties allocated within the natural language. These include the properties of duality and displacement, in which result in ultimate confusion and the construction of limited boundaries for scientific development. For instance, certain meanings of words can apply scientifically or casually, which then alters the intentional meaning and significance of the word itself. This can be specifically linked to chemistry, where heat and temperature are interchangeable yet do not acquire the same connotation. As a result, misunderstanding between the scientists arise, as they are unsure about their propositions of certain words, due to the dual nature of language. Furthermore, this causes the production of displacement of information, which can negatively impact scientific research.

 "The map is not the territory" is a metaphor that elucidates the differences between belief and reality, and the scope that our brain can administer and process information. However the brain which is represented by the map, does not withhold enough power to distinguish the complete territory of science including the unknown and undefined scientific processes that are still to be discovered. This therefore concludes that the span of the map does not define the territory. 

Natural Sciences Essay Ideas

1. Facts are needed to establish theories but theories are 

needed to make sense of Facts

From this prompt, an essay can be written. The facts and theories below are some examples:

• Evolution, as a fact, gathered by various observations and theories, itself proposed and founded the theory of natural selection to explain the mechanisms of evolution

• From observations gathered by Neil Bohr about the number of electron pairs surrounding their central atoms, the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory was launched, in which is a chemical model used to predict the geometry of individual molecules – this then helps to make sense of the arrangement and number of valence electrons

• Referring to experimental data gathered by Mendel, observations about the colors of pea plants were made, which led to the establishment of his inheritance theory to make sense of the genetic passing of traits onto offspring in regards to color

 2. Given access to the same facts, how is it possible that there  can be disagreement between experts in a discipline?

From this prompt, an essay can be written. Some ideas are presented below:

• Various experts within a discipline, despite being given access to the same facts, might have altered interpretations due to personal experience, resulting in disagreement - in the essay, expand on how personal experience can do that by referring to real-life examples

• Due to diverse observations collected through separate pieces of evidence gathered within personal experiments and studies, diverse theories arise from the same facts, which results in a clash between experts in a discipline - in the essay discuss more about how different theories arise from the same facts as a result of evidence

• Some experts might even disagree with the facts themselves, which then results in diverse beliefs and theories within a discipline that can easily go against the theories of other experts - in the essay, explore the validity of the facts and the birth of diverse theories as a result of that

The Evolution of the Theory of Evolution

By means of persistent curiosity of how life diversified into such a vast array of forms, Darwin in 1859 established his theory of evolution. He was able to provide an understanding of how species change over time through the suggested laws: law of variation, law of inheritance, law of selection, and principles of natural selection. These scientific laws were used to predict the results of certain initial conditions on planet earth and his theory was used to supply a logical explanation to why things happen as they do. But due to his lack of scientific knowledge about DNA and genetics, Darwin's laws were based on observations only. The theory provided a basic structure for scientists to work around and when discoveries were made, Darwin's establishments were integrated within the new biological findings. Therefore the theory of evolution has undergone evolution itself as a result of the progressive insightful discoveries scientists have established over the years.

In the early 20^th century, scientists became knowledgeable about the presence of heritable factors that contributed to evolution. This was coincidentally found during the nuclear age, where nuclear weapons and energy were being explored; scientists exposed bacteria, molds, flies, and other organisms to radiation and observed that genetic changes happen as a result of exposure to radiation. This led to the conclusion that chemicals can alter DNA structure; this was the basic introduction to variation and mutations. From such discoveries, it was assumed that random errors, resulted from accidents and damages, play a huge role in variation and the consequent diversity of life. However this was found to be incorrect when more advanced findings were included through molecular and cellular biology. From Rosalind Franklin's x-ray diffraction, the structure of DNA was discovered and from there, advanced technology allowed biologists to acquire knowledge and obtain information about genes, chromosomes, symbiosis, and more. In addition the sequencing of the human genome took place. Therefore an integral model of evolution was formed, and from comprehending such knowledge, the occurrence of evolution is debatable, as it is not accepted by everyone.

Logic-based Decisions and Knowledge

Logic based decisions or knowledge do take part in many day-to-day situations when facing problems or dealing with resolving personal issues. The mind's ability to reason and apply logic is a necessary human feature that implants certain rules set within society or appropriately within a certain situations to be used for discussion and in the resolution of any complications. Some specific examples of the occurrences of such situations that I personally experienced would first include for example to make the decision of either to walk or take a taxi to go to school. With step by step processing, logic and reason is used to decide by placing each situation, that is both walking and taking the taxi, into context that would enable to accomplish the act of reaching school most efficiently. For instance, it is most logical to use a taxi to go to school if there the weather is not cooperating and there is excessive snow or rain. However, a major contrasting factor that might take place is mood, as some days we have more energy than others. Another example that required the use of logic and reasoning in the execution of a decision would include when facing a situation with great importance, that is school-related, such as whether to attend a party on the same weekend of an important science test, or to stay home and study for the science test. Logic is used as the weighing out of the situations is looked upon to deduce their outcomes. From there reasoning is used and a final decision is made. Finally a third example that involves the use of logic is within situations that require problem-solving. This for instance includes stopping a fight between two friends. The analysis of the concepts and arguments of the fight should be completed as a result of logically organizing ideas and issues, and orally dealing it out. These ideas are presented through well-constructed systematic and articulate arguments. This also requires great use of judgement and rationality, as well as evaluation of best solutions, in order to form a final crucial decision. Logic therefore is generally used within day-to-day life in regards to the execution of most desired and best decisions when facing difficult problems that need to be settled. However external factors such as mood, emotions, and other personally-driven aspects do occur that impact the decision-making process. But this should not be an issue as logic over-weighs such personally-driven factors for the most part.

Emotion

1. Can feelings have a rational basis? Would it be better or worse if emotions could be justified? Are emotions and feelings essential? Is ‘emotional intelligence’ an oxymoron?

Knowledge Claim: Emotions are triggered by past experiences that result in irrational and sudden emotional response.

2. Can there be ‘correct’ or ‘appropriate’ emotional responses? Is it ‘correct’ to be horrified by accounts of torture?

Knowledge Claim: Society sets its own correct and appropriate emotional responses that classifies people as normal or abnormal.

7. Is emotion an essential ingredient of scientific or artistic knowledge?

Knowledge Claim: Creativity, as part of artistic knowledge, is set off by emotion as a result of internal feelings and perspective.