Ortega y Gasset: Philosophy and Historical Context
Philosophical Context
Initially, Ortega’s philosophical context in Germany drew its power from Neo-Kantian science. However, he soon abandoned this model, viewing it as part of the idealism contributing to the crisis of modernity. For Ortega, overcoming idealism (which he termed “the issue of our time”) was not merely a philosophical question, but the solution to the problems facing Spain and Europe. He argued that if the principle of rationality, which defined the modern age, were surpassed by another
Read More19th Century Social Change: Reforms, Darwin, Durkheim
19th Century Societal Transformation
In poorer environments, overcrowding facilitated the spread of diseases, food shortages, and educational deficits. As societal issues escalated, people seemed to be heading towards a metaphorical hell, with moral decay, often fueled by excessive alcohol consumption, crime, and violence. The urgent need for education became apparent.
Education as a Catalyst for Change
Unlike other societal elements, education does not operate within a free market, necessitating legislative
Read MorePolitical Science, Law, Governance, and Global Relations
Definition of Political Science
Political science is the systematic study of politics, government, and public policy. It involves the analysis of political institutions, processes, and behaviors, as well as the examination of the interactions between individuals, groups, and governments.
Nature of Political Science
- Social Science: Political science is a social science that seeks to understand human behavior and interactions in the context of politics and government.
- Empirical and Theoretical: Political
Linguistic Variation, Standardization, and Language Contact
Diaphasic Variation: Linguistic Registers
Diaphasic variation, also known as linguistic registers, refers to language variations that occur depending on the components of the situation of use. It employs the concept of linguistic competence to describe a speaker’s ability to use the appropriate register in different possible situational contexts. The most common related registers are considered to be the colloquial, the vulgar, the scientific-technical, the juridical-literary, and journalistic. It
Read MoreAnthropological Insights: Culture, Environment, and Knowledge Systems
Key Anthropological Concepts
The anthropological perspective involves making the strange familiar and vice versa, characterized by four key approaches:
- Holistic: This approach uses multiple kinds of data to capture the whole picture, connecting all parts of life.
- Comparative: To understand human experience, one must compare and contrast many examples. This avoids labeling anything as “normal,” questions one’s own assumptions, and embraces diversity. For example, Orlove challenges us to question
Key Sociological Perspectives on Education and Society
Functionalist Perspectives on Education
Émile Durkheim: Education and Collective Consciousness
Émile Durkheim and the functionalist conception of education. Education, for Durkheim, is static. Its primary purpose is to build collective consciousness and shared social meanings.
- Education molds individuals according to the demands of society and the political state.
- The purpose of education is to socialize individuals into cultural patterns: to be social, to be a moral being.