Serendip is an independent site partnering with faculty at multiple colleges and universities around the world. Happy exploring!

Home › Neurobiology and Behavior, Week 1 ›

Reply to comment

Paul Grobstein's picture

words, classifications, and existence

Submitted by Paul Grobstein on Fri, 01/29/2010 - 3:48pm.

Its interesting indeed to think about why we tend to treat certain ideas (blueness) as "universal" while we know perfectly well that others (eg, friendship) mean different things to different people.  The philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein had a big impact by noting, as you do, that the words we use constitute our definitions of things.  Its worth wondering though if there might be ways to "classify" things that don't depend on words.  Other animals seem to "classify" without words.  As do human infants.  Perhaps we do as well? 

Reply

To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.
6 + 14 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.

Remote Ready Biology Learning Activities

Scanning electron microscope image of SARS-CoV-2

Remote Ready Biology Learning Activities has 50 remote-ready activities, which work for either your classroom or remote teaching.

Narrative is determined not by a desire to narrate but by a desire to exchange. (Roland Barthes, S/Z)

What's New? Subscribe to Serendip Studio