Tuslok

  Violence vs. Nonviolence: Reflections on EDSA and Current Political Dynamics (Myke Ian A. Hechanova)    Gandhi's idea of nonviolence, called "ahimsa," is based on the belief that not using violence is the most powerful way to bring about change. He taught that standing up against unfair laws peacefully, known as civil disobedience, is essential. "Satyagraha," or "truth force," means sticking to your beliefs without resorting to violence.       Gandhi believed in loving and understanding everyone, even those who oppress you, because this can help create real change. His methods were key to India's fight for independence, especially during events like the Salt March in 1930. His ideas inspired leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela in their battles against racism.       Today, Gandhi's approach still influences movements around the world, showing us how peaceful protests and open dialogue can lead to stronger communi...

The Power of Knowing: Acting with Purpose (Myke Ian A. Hechanova)      Wang Yangming's idea of the unity of knowing and acting highlights that real knowledge is closely connected to how we behave ethically. He believed that understanding what is right should motivate us to take action. He introduced the concept of "liangzhi," or innate knowledge, which means everyone has a natural sense of morality that helps guide their choices.      For Wang, true knowledge only matters when it leads to action, so just knowing isn’t enough. This practical view encourages personal growth, pushing people to think about their actions and make sure they match their moral beliefs, despite any outside pressures that might cause confusion.      Additionally, taking moral actions can enhance our understanding, showing that ethics is not just about theory but is something we live out every day. Ultimately, this idea encourages us to connect our knowledge with our ac...

  Position Paper -Radical Interpretation               Davidson's radical interpretation theory provides a framework for understanding how language and thought are deeply interconnected through the ascription of beliefs and meanings.             According to Gluer (2011), Davidson's radical interpretation theory is closely related to the philosophy of language. The theory provides a unique approach to understanding language, meaning, and knowledge by interpreting a speaker's language without prior knowledge and emphasizing the indeterminacy of meaning.             Davidson's theory of interpretation considers the exigencies of interpreting a person's speech behavior, which yields additional semantic and epistemological insights into the nature of language and meaning. It is intended to lay bare the knowle...

Position Paper - Radical Translation             Understanding Quine’s radical translation thought experiment despite various criticisms.             Quine's radical translation thought experiment challenges the traditional conception of meaning and translation in several ways: it highlights the indeterminacy of translation, which suggests that there is no definitive method to translate sentences in an alien language. This challenges the traditional view that meaning can be precisely captured and translated from one language to another. Quine's theory of meaning emphasizes the importance of empirical data in understanding the meaning of sentences in an alien language. This challenges the traditional view that meaning can be understood solely through the study of grammar and syntax. Then, Quine's concept of "stimulus meaning" challenges the traditional view that meaning is ...

  Position Paper -Speech Act Theory            Accepting speech act theory which emphasizes the importance of context in communication.         Prominent language philosopher J.L. Austin distinguished between three categories of speech acts: perlocutionary, illocutionary, and locutionary acts. Saying something is known as a locutionary act, saying something is known as an illocutionary act, and saying something is known as a perlocutionary act when it is done to accomplish a specific goal.The main idea behind speech act theory is to consider language not only as a medium to convey and describe reality, but also as a form of action, which are actions performed by the use of language (Oishi, 2006).         According to this theory, the meaning of an utterance is not only determined by the words used but also by the context in which it is used. The context includes the physica...

Position Paper - Language Game        Affirming Ludwig Wittgenstain’s concept of language game and Paul Grice’s cooperative principle and its maxims.      The 20th-century analytical philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein made several claims in Philosophical Investigations noteworthy contributions to the field of language philosophy. According to him, comprehending a sentence comprises having language proficiency, which requires having mastered a particular skill (Wittgenstein, 1958). After that, being a method master suggests that you understand the "form of life" that the method is based on, individuals who think that Ludwig Wittgenstein rejected the notion of pure logic after reading Philosophical Investigations beneath the words. He created the idea of "language games," where specific sentences could be utilized in particular situations according to what he considers to be the participation rules.      For the later Wittgenstein, ...

ON THEORY OF DESCRIPTION (RUSSELL & STRAWSON) (Position Paper) The theory of reference is a fundamental concept in philosophy of language, addressing the question of how language connects words or symbols with the objects they represent in the external world. Bertrand Russell’s theory was groundbreaking but had its limitations. Russell's theory of reference is characterized by a strict observance to logical analysis. It seeks to eliminate ambiguity and clarify language through formal means. He subscribes to what is an existent object and negates the non-existent entities.  However, his [Russel] view has been criticized for its apparent dismissal of meaningful sentences that contain non-referring expressions. Moreover, some argue that his theory does not fully capture how language functions in ordinary communication. For instance, “The square is circle’’ is a case of such cannot be considered as existing entities, that is, it is not always making existential claims. Instead, the...