Media Violence Essay Example for Free

Media Violence Essay Introduction   Ã‚   A number of psychological problems are surfacing these days, especially concerning the younger generation. The open viewer ship of television, movies playing video games instill young children with the aggression violent energy of the show. It has been deduced through extensive research that children who view more media violence are more verbally physically aggressive becoming more anti social as the years pass. â€Å"Media violence exposure is described as a risk factor for aggressive beliefs and behaviors, and it is argued that media violence exposure in combination with other risk factors for aggression (e. g., hostile attribution bias, sex, prior aggression) can produce an effect greater than any single risk factor alone.† (For further review Gentile et al 2004)   Ã‚   Psychologists have been conducting researches to learn more about the physical mental effects of violence through media. The intense antagonistic music, lyrics videos affect the viewers most negatively regardless of their age. Even the cartoons which are meant purely for children’s viewing have turned aggressive boisterous. In classrooms students are getting into fights with co- students forming cliques comprising of most popular un- popular students all derived from the latest TV series. This impact is seen in girls more than in boys; however the boys are more into the aggressive attitudes physically. The matters to be discussed are: How the media affects the minds of young children? What steps are being taken by the parents to control these consequences? What measures are the media related people taking so as to broadcast less violence in TV shows? The government officials dealings to solve this problem? The problems occurring due to this social learning; a process where an individual learns by watching imitating others instead of ones own experiences, by exposure to TV violence in the early years are numerous. Some main points to be highlighted are: Diminishing of the involuntary concern for another’s suffering. Losing the sensitivity towards violence aggression by becoming habitual. Imitating the violent acts as seen in the movie. Exhibiting a hostile attitude towards others. Prevalence of risk factor:   Ã‚   Due to the availability of many media options like cable television, DVDs, the ever progressing video games. Unlimited time is being spent in watching cartoon animated movies, which are becoming more sadistic as the technology advances; generating a number of behavioral, social emotional problems. At times the media simply provide a boom to an already disturbed child under stress due to family or school troubles. Often it causes severe psychotic disorders pervasive developmental disorders with a very low frequency which makes it difficult to identify the main causes. (Merrell K. 1999) Description of risk factor at different ages:   Ã‚   The risk factors in media violence are many observed differently at each age level also gender wise.   A research   concluded at 99% of American families have televisions at home, 87% a VCR,   54% children have televisions video games in their own bedrooms. Average time an American child spends per day, in viewing different types of media is 6 hours 43 minutes; of which 90 minutes each day is spent in playing video games. This deduces that they consume double the amount of time in watching TV playing video games then they spend at school annually. Children are mostly fascinated by the fantasies stories hence fantasy based games are the most popular among kids. The total estimation of the profit earned by the video games industry is a whopping $ 10 billion dollars a year, even crossing the gross of the ever popular motion pictures.    It has not yet been deduced how the media violence effects infants but it may cause them to imitate behaviors in a minimal manner, from what they grasp. Usually the viewer ship becomes stronger when they reach the age of two a half or above. That’s the time when they develop the ability to grasp the right meaning of what they view on television then incorporate it in their actions.    The children of age group 6 8 are most likely to be fascinated by what they view on media. They do not have the experience maturity to characterize between the real life fantasy hence; they feel infatuated by the fictional characters try to imitate their actions verbally physically. Many children, when asked what they want to be when they grow up, answer mostly the names of superheroes they watch admire on TV like superman or batman.   Ã‚  When the movie superman was released many children tried to copy the flying act by tying a cape around their neck jumping from a higher place. This ended up in a number of casualties therefore frustration on not being able to carry out the task, which the superman so flawlessly renders. This is not an only example; the horror movies children view also create negative effects in the young minds. When the movie Childs play was released, a huge number of children threw away their dolls had countless nightmares by imagining the face of chucky the evil doll feeling scared.    The young age is open to magical ideas fantasies. They consider the on-screen violence as reality, this though process gradually develops as the child ages the difference between reality fantasy diminishes. The TV is taking over the family moments. This development is progressing with great pace which is an extremely serious issue needs to be tackled controlled by the parents with the collaboration of the media related people.   Ã‚   The media viewing habits that the children develop at an early stage influence their life throughout the ages. The inspiration they take from the fast paced colorful cartoons movies will embark a feeling of aggression at a premature level. The exploring property of young minds fosters them to learn the violent actions of the characters emulate them themselves. This characteristic is further highlighted by the intense sounds music supporting the movie. Theory    The reality enjoyment level of the violence creates de-sensitization. It is a feeling when the individual, loses the feeling of compassion or sensitivity becomes oblivious to the violence being broadcasted in front of him. This process is cemented by the high levels of graphics being used in video games movies these days. The points or rewards on killing, blood showing body mutilation in video games are considered as normal undertakings.    Depression is considered to be the major psychiatric disease of the 20th century. (M. Abdel et al, 2006) This problem is becoming common in young children as well, mostly appearing during the teenage years, it intervenes with a child’s psychological, social academic functioning evoking a suicidal behavior. The signs are often showcased by a child exhibit frustration low tolerance. Various factors are materializing due to the media violence exposure in children: Epidemiologists who have been studying the factors of violence other common social issues discovered that exposure to violent media played a vital part in 10,000 homicides committed in the United States of America last year (E. Cook, 2000) Individuals preferring heavy metal music are more subjective to psychological disarray, substance exploitation, suicidal risk in the extreme stage during adolescence. The effects of interactive media like internet video games are more enduring persuasive on violent behavior than passive media like television as they have increased levels of aggression hostility having a tendency to make the individual insensitive to violence. An inclination towards using drugs indulging in unsafe sex, contributing to the widely spreading diseases like HIV aids, cancer of different types. Specific effects on children/adolescents     Ã‚  Ã‚  The students of middle school or high school, around the age of 12 to 17 are very much capable of theoretical thinking elucidation. However, when exposed to the world of media they do not utilize these mental abilities, making them as prone to media violence effects as younger children. By this age they get much independence by the parents, thus making them highly vulnerable to in appropriate media. This is more compelling for boys than in girls; however, girls too are being captivated into the same habits nowadays. They indulge in viewing media dealing issues in negative ways including loud music videos, horror often pornographic content.    A research conducted by the of Washington epidemiologist Brandon Centerwall, evaluated that among one- quarter one- third convicted young male criminals had consciously imitated the violent techniques they had seen on television.(Tepperman)   Ã‚  Ã‚   Some percentage of youngsters both male females who associate the media content with real life are more prone to becoming aggressive later in life, however they are less prone to identify with television characters doubt the reality of media at this age as compared to younger children. Whereas younger children, are much enthralled captivated by the aggressive heroes depicted in the media. Excessive exposure to strong media generates some particular effects on children like: The violent behavior might perceive them into becoming attackers. It may induce fear in the individual hence creating a victimized effect. The excessive viewing of violent content may make them insensitive ruthless to the belligerence happening around them in media or in real life. It can make them ambitious for yet more aggression violence by creating an effect of negative desire.    The children studying at elementary school level are very keen in recognizing patterns of the actions depicted in media especially cartoons which appeal to them the most. Their cognitive abilities make it a grave period to make conjectures about the vociferous content recognize motivations of the characters.    The society should show some concern to the risks encompassed being spread through media. The fact that a young mind learns develops aggressive behavior later becomes desensitized to it; has been proven by a number of scientific researches. The violence itself is not the attraction for younger children, the graphic content dramatic production features set up the hype. As young as preschool students view cartoons like Pokemon which has been banned earlier in many countries due to its violent theme.   Ã‚   The children not just enjoy the cartoons; they buy the merchandise games of their favorite show as well. Another factor that appears here is when the families who cannot afford such extravagance fail to comply with the Childs demands; it creates a sense of severance in him or her. This might induce him to steal or get into fights so as to hide this feeling. It has been noted by parents teachers alike, that when preschooler watch any stimulating action oriented content, they become more aggressive in their play. The teenagers have a predisposition to confront conventional authority making them vulnerable to interpret some television violence especially exposà © of suicide murders. Research findings   Ã‚   If we observe the viewer ship of programs like MTV WWE containing explicit matter, it is clear that children most exposed to these programs are verbally physically more aggressive anti social. Children viewing WWE are physically more violent get into more fights at school. Both the viewers showed decline in school grades. Girls surprisingly have a higher tendency than boys to get into fights. The steps that appear in children exposed to violence on media making them most likely to imitate it are: Identification with the hero the program itself. Fantasizing about the program creating one’s own stories on its bases. The aptitude to commit the act. Vulnerability and protective factor    The expansion of children’s media started in the early 1940s up till now comprises of television, video tapes, DVDs, electronic games, interactive soft wares. The visual media has flourished more as compared to the print media like comic story books. The 1990s saw a transformation of media into a more violent physically aggressive medium. The rating system that they used to label the content has not been implemented properly thus provoke the risk of violence in young children, often traumatizing them affecting their judgmental qualities.   Ã‚  Ã‚  The media portrays unrealistic concepts regarding beauty physical appearances as sales tactics. This is perceived by the young minds in a negative way propelling them to opt for unhealthy diets suffer body disorders psychological effects when they are unable to attain that look. Minimum 20 hours per week are spent in television viewing by an average American child not counting the time spent on movies, music, video games Internet. This association with media is promoting inactivity the children. Less time is spent on studies social life. The parents use the TV as a way to get the children out of the way. Especially mothers so they can complete housework with ease.    The use of tobacco, alcohol illicit drugs is represented as high glamour in the media. The characters of the movies or TV shows often shown indulging in them. (Clark, 2007) $6 billion $2 billion dollars are spent annually by the tobacco alcohol manufactures respectively in advertising their product. Educational messages are also broadcasted but on a much smaller scale.   Ã‚   Repeated viewing of the harmful content has been noted to lower emotional response to violence increase hostility in individuals. Studies have documented that desensitization results in reduced arousal and emotional disturbance while witnessing violence.   Ã‚   A survey conducted in Ohio, in 1998 of more than 2000 3-8 grade students showed that as the viewer ship increased the psychological effects like anxiety, depression posttraumatic stress increased as well. (Cantor, 2002) A normal American child witness more than 8000 murders on media by the time he’s 11, 75% of these show the murderer performing the act without any regret making the children either insensitive or fearful of the society’s negative acts. (Gentile et all, 2004)   A national survey in 1999 revealed that 62% parents of children ages ranging from 2-17 confessed their child being frightened by something they saw on TV. Strengths and limitations Surveys were conducted, strength is that research will have positive implications if steps taken to avoid exposure of media on young children. Our research limitation is that we have to rely on questionnaires for this study. Though every person who takes the survey we take consent to be truthful and honest, but still some people might not be serious in answering the questions.   Ã‚   The research we conducted brought out many views issues concerning the media’s violent nature by parents psychological experts. Many a times the results deduced by a survey are not 100% accurate due to the answers not being stated with honesty. Often parents hide their children’s problems so as to cast a positive likeable image in front of others. Thus, giving false information diluting the research. Further investigation should be planned executed to fully extract the true happenings. This can help in contriving the broadcast of media to promote positive points among its viewers. The studies should be devised with a broad view so as to cover all the aspects whether good or bad. Often the experts do not co-operate with the evaluators therefore the end results lack professional guidelines. Expert opinion is always required to cement the result of surveys strengthen the evaluation.    The researches conducted in schools proved to be quite remarkable helped in collecting physical psychological health of the children. The information given was backed by the annual report cards examination results of each student. More studies should be conducted in different level schools. It provides a beneficial lead in devising theories regarding the children. Future directions for research Further research is needed in this field and especially research must be conducted to study the effect of media on developmental psychology of children. Future research will reveal how violence in media is affecting children and the related frequency of occurrence of abnormal psychological disorders. This will help taking further steps to stop such media violence and avoid psychological problems.    The research conducted proves that moderate television viewing with parents check is rather favorable for the young children. The media can be used as an effective tool in teaching developing sound habits in children through parental guidance proper planning of the medium’s people. Parents can use the specific shows as guidelines to satisfy the child’s inquisition. Watching programs with good values ethics on TV can help the children understand the right way to behave.    However the media is being used in a limited way, the variety of messages that can be incorporated through the medium is being ignored. Changes must be designed to use the medium in a finest way. The gaps left by this research evaluation should be fulfilled by further researches that are extensively conducted.    Advertising entertainment industries represent the culture spirit of the respective country to the rest of the world must not be used casually. Parents teachers should come up with strategies to create a sense of understanding in the children from an early age.   The parents should realize what effects the movies content on TV are having on their children try to minimize TV viewing at home level. Some ways that may be incorporated by parents to limit children’s revelation to violence are: Restricting keeping a check on what their children view on TV Discussing the programs with older children or young adults to clear their minds of any confusion help them in expressing their opinions. Start a family oriented time by going for picnics, organizing a special lunch or dinner. Allow the children to watch TV for a selected time period only programs that are desirable for their viewing. Offer criticism on TV channels sponsors for showing in appropriate programs or content so as to force them to use proper censorship. Conclusion    The effects whether positive or negative concerning today’s media are out in the open. It is the duty of every individual to counter such issues raise their voices to control them. Many researches experiments are being conducted to realize the short-term long-term effects of violent media. Feelings of hostility, revenge, anger sprout in a young mind provoke him or her to retaliate. Many reasons that promote violence on media are present. Often the viewer the broadcaster thinks the effect is too minute to make a difference in anyone’s mind, nevertheless children are affected by the smallest of acts without worrying about its positive or negative aspect. The media declaring that that there is no understanding of the definition of violence among the people continue to showcase the explicit content. They further comprehend by saying they show what the people want to watch. Believing that violence shown on media is simply showcasing real life. This is mostly observed in news channels movies, where gruesome details of murder accidents are shown openly. Parents allow children to view violent content in the name of comedy, many well-liked shows illustrate this example such as the ever popular tom jerry cartoon which shows both the characters beating or pummeling each other References Anon., (May 28, 2003) Preventing violence by teaching non-violent problem-solving American Psychological Association, [accessed 1st December 2007] http://www.psychologymatters.org/bandura2.html Anon, (February 19, 2004) Violence in the media psychologists helps protect children from harmful effects American Psychological Association [accessed 1st December 2007] http://www.psychologymatters.org/mediaviolence.html Donald E. Cook, (September 13, 2000) Testimony of the American academy of pediatrics on media violence presented to the U.S. senate commerce committee http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/mediaviolencetestimony.pdf Douglas A. Gentile, David A. Walsh, Paul R. Ellison, Michelle Fox Jennifer Cameron (May, 2004) Media violence as a risk factor for children: a longitudinal study presented to the American Psychological Society 16th Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois- pgs 2-5 Jean Tepperman, [January-February 1997]. What do children learn from media violence? Childrens Advocate newsmagazine, Action Alliance for Children Action Alliance for Children [accessed 1st December 2007] http://www.4children.org/news/1-97toxl.htm Joanne Cantor, (April 19, 2002). The psychological effects of media violence on children and adolescents Presented at the Colloquium on Television and Violence in Society http://www.joannecantor.com/montrealpap_fin.htm Kenneth W. Merrell, (1999) Assessment of other behavioral, social, and emotional problems: Behavioral, Social and Emotional Assessment of Children and Adolescents Lawrence Erlbaum Associates- Mahwah, NJ. Publication chapter 11, pg 275 http://www.questia.com/read/28160055# Laura B. Clark (2007) Influence on children media history of media for children, general considerations, studies of media influence, domains of influence, recommendations Education Encyclopedia http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2212/Media-Influence-on-Children.html Moataz M. Abdel- Fattah Abdel-Rahman A. Asal, (August 13, 2006) Prevalence, symptomatology, and risk factors for depression among high school students in Saudi Arabia copyright  © 2005 Europes Journal of Psychology [Accessed 1st December 2007] http://www.ejop.org/archives/2006/08/prevalence_symp.htm Wendy L. Josephson, (February 1995) Television violence: a  review of the effects on children of different ages for the Department of Canadian Heritage Reprinted with permission, by the Media Awareness Network. September 1997 [accessed on 1st December 2007] http://www.cfc-efc.ca/docs/mnet/00001068.htm

Al Capone Biography Essay -- Biography

â€Å"When I sell liquor, they call it bootlegging. When my patrons serve it on silver trays on Lake Shore Drive, they call it hospitality.†-Al Capone [Woog, 25] Al Capone was one of the most notorious gangsters during the 1920’s. He was a self-made business man. He had a ready smile and a quick handshake, which if you did not play your cards right, could turn out to be fatal. It took 500 gangland murders to make Capone the boss of Chicago. He was public enemy number one. Capone single handedly gave Chicago the nickname â€Å"The Lawless City.† Alphonse Capone was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 17, 1899. He grew up in a very rough neighborhood and became a part of two gangs during this time. He was a very bright kid, yet he quit school in the sixth grade at age fourteen. He worked several jobs, such as a clerk at a candy store and a pin boy at a bowling alley, in between scams. After a while he became part of the well known Five Points gang and worked for the fellow gangsters. While he was working one night as a bouncer at the Harvard Inn, he insulted a patron and her brother attacked Capone leaving him with his infamous facial scars which later gave him his nickname â€Å"Scarface.† In 1918, Capone met a girl named Mary Coughlin who gave birth to their son Albert "Sonny" Francis. Coughlin and Capone married later that year. He was first arrested on a disorderly conduct charge while working for fellow gangster Frankie Yale. At this time he also murdered two men to prove his willingness to kill, but he was not tried because of the gangland etiquette of â€Å"silence.† Capone was let off of all charges due to lack of proof. After Capone hospitalized a rival gang member, Yale sent him to Chicago until things blew over. He arrived there in 1919. When Capone settled into Chicago, Yale sent him to work for his old mentor, John Torrio. Once Torrio realized Capone’s potential, he took him under his wing and let Capone become his partner in the bootlegging business. By 1922, Capone was Torrio’s number two man and was his partner in everything. Torrio was shot by rival gang members and forced to leave Chicago, so naturally Capone made himself boss. Capone was well liked and trusted by his men and soon called â€Å"The Big Fellow.† He quickly prove... ...Likeville, MN: Northstar Maschek Books, 1987 †¢ Esslinger, Michael. â€Å"Al (Scarface) Capone†. Alcatraz History. 1pp. 17 March. 2005 /. †¢ Famous Cases: Alphonse Capone. Federal Bureau of Investigation. 3pp. 5 March. 2005 . †¢ Goldfarb, Joel. â€Å"Capone†. Encyclopedia of World Biography. 1993 †¢ Helmer, William J. â€Å"Al Capone†. World Book Encyclopedia. 2005 †¢ Landesco, John. Organized crime in Chicago. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1968. †¢ Paton, John, et al., eds. Crimes and Punishment Vol. 2 New York: Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 1986. †¢ Waller, Irle. Chicago Uncensored: Firsthand Stories About the Al Capone Era. New York: Exposition Press, 1965. †¢ Woog, Adam. Gangsters. San Diego: Lucent Books, 1953. 25-35 Al Capone Biography Essay -- Biography â€Å"When I sell liquor, they call it bootlegging. When my patrons serve it on silver trays on Lake Shore Drive, they call it hospitality.†-Al Capone [Woog, 25] Al Capone was one of the most notorious gangsters during the 1920’s. He was a self-made business man. He had a ready smile and a quick handshake, which if you did not play your cards right, could turn out to be fatal. It took 500 gangland murders to make Capone the boss of Chicago. He was public enemy number one. Capone single handedly gave Chicago the nickname â€Å"The Lawless City.† Alphonse Capone was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 17, 1899. He grew up in a very rough neighborhood and became a part of two gangs during this time. He was a very bright kid, yet he quit school in the sixth grade at age fourteen. He worked several jobs, such as a clerk at a candy store and a pin boy at a bowling alley, in between scams. After a while he became part of the well known Five Points gang and worked for the fellow gangsters. While he was working one night as a bouncer at the Harvard Inn, he insulted a patron and her brother attacked Capone leaving him with his infamous facial scars which later gave him his nickname â€Å"Scarface.† In 1918, Capone met a girl named Mary Coughlin who gave birth to their son Albert "Sonny" Francis. Coughlin and Capone married later that year. He was first arrested on a disorderly conduct charge while working for fellow gangster Frankie Yale. At this time he also murdered two men to prove his willingness to kill, but he was not tried because of the gangland etiquette of â€Å"silence.† Capone was let off of all charges due to lack of proof. After Capone hospitalized a rival gang member, Yale sent him to Chicago until things blew over. He arrived there in 1919. When Capone settled into Chicago, Yale sent him to work for his old mentor, John Torrio. Once Torrio realized Capone’s potential, he took him under his wing and let Capone become his partner in the bootlegging business. By 1922, Capone was Torrio’s number two man and was his partner in everything. Torrio was shot by rival gang members and forced to leave Chicago, so naturally Capone made himself boss. Capone was well liked and trusted by his men and soon called â€Å"The Big Fellow.† He quickly prove... ...Likeville, MN: Northstar Maschek Books, 1987 †¢ Esslinger, Michael. â€Å"Al (Scarface) Capone†. Alcatraz History. 1pp. 17 March. 2005 /. †¢ Famous Cases: Alphonse Capone. Federal Bureau of Investigation. 3pp. 5 March. 2005 . †¢ Goldfarb, Joel. â€Å"Capone†. Encyclopedia of World Biography. 1993 †¢ Helmer, William J. â€Å"Al Capone†. World Book Encyclopedia. 2005 †¢ Landesco, John. Organized crime in Chicago. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1968. †¢ Paton, John, et al., eds. Crimes and Punishment Vol. 2 New York: Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 1986. †¢ Waller, Irle. Chicago Uncensored: Firsthand Stories About the Al Capone Era. New York: Exposition Press, 1965. †¢ Woog, Adam. Gangsters. San Diego: Lucent Books, 1953. 25-35

Saussure and Derrida

A science that studies the life of signs within society is conceivable; . . . I shall call it semiology (from Greek semeion ‘sign'). Semiology would show what constitutes signs, what laws govern them. Since the science does not yet exist, no one can say what it would be. . . . (Saussure, 1960:16) In this statement Ferdinand de Saussure (1857-1913), the twentieth-century father of the science of signs, presents his theory about language and gives a Greek name. This enterprise has considerably affected most discussions about language and of interpretation since its inauguration. Saussure presents the linguistic system as the place of the sign. Signs don't exist apart from a system. And it is every time a system of differences. Unavoidably, the theory of signs leads Saussure to the theory of language as system. Later, Jacques Derrida (1930-2004) discovers the logocentric dynamic in Saussure's new theory. Referring to the father of structural linguistics and semiology, Derrida leads readers beyond Saussure toward a poststructuralist future. It is this logocentrism which, limiting the internal system of language in general by a bad abstraction, prevents Saussure and the majority of his successors from determining fully and explicitly that which is called ‘the integral and concrete object of linguistics† (Cours 23). Both Ferdinand de Saussure – father of 20th-century linguistics and Jacques Derrida – founder of deconstruction made profound impact upon language theory; their ideas laid the basis for considerable developments in linguisti cs in the 20th century. Saussure on Language In itself, thought is like a swirling cloud, where no shape is intrinsically determinate. No ideas are established in advance, and nothing is distinct, before the introduction of linguistic structure. [†¦] Just as it is impossible to take a pair of scissors and cut one side of paper without at the same time cutting the other, so it is impossible in a language to isolate sound from thought, or thought from sound. To separate the two for theoretical purposes takes us into either pure psychology or pure phonetics, not linguistics. Linguistics, then, operates along this margin, where sound and thought meet. The contact between them gives rise to a form, not a substance (Cours 155-7). This impressive statement from the posthumously published Cours de linguistique generale of Ferdinand de Saussure (1857-1913) introduces readers in what was later called as a ‘Copernican revolution' in Western thought relating to language. Why ‘Copernican’? Because just as Copernicus had asserted that the Earth revolved around the Sun, instead of the Sun revolving around the Earth, Saussure asserts something similar on the subject of language. His theory claimed that languages are the instruments that give human beings opportunity to achieve a rational understanding of the world in which they live. Rather than considering words as mere addition to human comprehension of reality, Saussure considered comprehension of reality as depending substantially upon human use of the verbal signs that form the language people use. Language is not secondary but, quite the reverse, central to human life. As a result, human life is linguistically constructed life. Saussure's theory goes far beyond the traditional theory of language as something communicated. It also goes beyond Locke's theory of words as symbols that stand for ideas. Many linguistic philosophers had claimed that without language human reason would be lacking its principal instrument of transformation ideas into words. But Saussure's theory goes further and deeper. Saussure indicates the phonetic and conceptual aspects of language. Linguistics was for Saussure only one subdivision of a relating to various branches science of signs that he proposed to call ‘semiology' (semiologie). Each branch of semiology had a theory of the signs which it studied. Consequently, linguistics would need a theory of the linguistic sign, the fundamental unit of langue. Such a theory of language Saussure proceeds to offer. As his paper-cutting analogy shows, he deals with the linguistic sign as a unit determined merely by its form. Its form has two facets, or ‘opposite sides'. The Saussurean technical identifications for these two facets of the sign are signifiant and signifie (the ‘signifying' plane and the ‘signified' plane) (Matthews 21). Every langue includes semiological system of bi-planar signs. Each sign has its signifiant and its signifie. Despite the fact that each plane may, for convenience, be analyzed one by one, no linguistic sign can be determined without considering both planes that are equally important. The published in 1916 text of the Cours faithfully reflects Saussure's theory about language. That text became the subsequent chapter in the history of ideas about language theory. The text became a cornerstone of modern linguistic theory, as well as the public declaration of a more general intellectual movement of the 20th century that had effect on such diverse disciplines as psychology, social anthropology and literary criticism. This all-round movement is today known as ‘structuralism'. The whole question that the Saussurean theory of linguistic structure gives rise is this: ‘If our langue is a structure, then a structure of what exactly? ‘ (Matthews 69) Saussure's answer to this question is problematic. He identified langue as being at the same time a structure of the mental operations of the human beings, and also a structure of the communicational processes by means of which human beings perform their roles as a cultural constitution. So langue is finally supra-individual in the relation that it is placed in society and depends for its existence on cultural relations; yet it assumes in each individual the power of an internally created system of linguistic signs. More exactly, langue, Saussure claims, ‘is never complete in any single individual, but exists perfectly only in the collectivity' (Cours 30). Derrida’s Theory of Language The theory of language to which Derrida wants to turn attention is connected with the method linguistic meaning is produced. More exactly, the method what there is of linguistic meaning and nonmeaning in their interconnection is presented. Derrida, in his theory of deconstruction, presents the same structure for both the process of nonaesthetic negativity and the process of aesthetic negativity. â€Å"Deconstruction† is connected with an analysis of the theory of language that, similar to the process of aesthetic negativity, discovers within this theory the seeds of its own downfall. Derrida presents a theory of meaning that reflects the idea of the â€Å"iterability† of signs and what he calls their â€Å"supplementary† status. Jonathan Culler summarized Derrida's central idea in this regard in the following way: Our earlier formula, â€Å"meaning is context-bound, but context is boundless,† helps us recall why both projects fail: meaning is context-bound, so intentions do not in fact suffice to determine meaning; context must be mobilized. But context is boundless, so accounts of context never provide full determinations of meaning. Against any set of formulations, one can imagine further possibilities of context, including the expansion of context produced by reinscription within a context of the description of it (Menke 96). Considering Culler's interpretation, Derrida's thesis of the uncircumventable proclivity of language for crisis is based on the difference between what one expects context to offer and what it can really do, when correctly viewed. The nonetheless inevitable recourse to context in the determination of meaning thus results in a crisis for every attempt to comprehend language. What is supposed to generate definitiveness is itself unlimited and thus the source of unmanaged difference. Derrida’s general thesis thus is based on the idea that the understanding of the meaning of signs can only function in a context-bound way. At the same time that contexts cannot define the meaning of signs since they are themselves boundless. The boundlessness that meaning opens itself to in its context-boundedness is in no way eo ipso the boundlessness of a difference that is inconsistent with any identity of meaning (Menke 90). Derrida himself realizes his argument that a â€Å"thousand possibilities will always remain open even if one understands something in this phrase that makes sense† (Menke 96) in an equivocal fashion. On the one hand this idea means: every sign can function in different and boundlessly many contexts. This is precisely what determines the iterability of signs: their reusability in contexts that are not actually those in which they were first placed. The usability of signs in boundlessly many contexts in itself, though, in no way is opposite to the definitiveness of its use and meaning as determined by rules of language. Although one might note, with Derrida, that the deconstruction of logocentrism is a search for â€Å"the other of language† (Derrida 1984, 123), this does not contribute to the statement that deconstruction is originally concerned with a linguistic theory. This is first and foremost the question of the concrete instance, of â€Å"the other, which is beyond language† (Derrida 1984,123). Far, then, from being a philosophy that according to its critics, states that there is nothing beyond language and that one is confined within language, deconstruction can be considered as a response. â€Å"Deconstruction is, in itself, a positive response to an alterity which necessarily calls, summons or motivates it. Deconstruction is therefore vocation – a response to a call† (Derrida 1984,118). Derrida claims that the character of deconstruction is not solely positive, that is not merely an assertion of what already exists and is known, but that it is an assertion of what is wholly other (tout autre) (Derrida 1992, 27). Derrida claims that difference is not something that can appear in logocentric discourse: â€Å"differance is not,† Derrida explains, â€Å"preceded by the originary and indivisible unity of a present possibility that I could reserve†¦. What defers presence, on the contrary, is the very basis on which presence is announced or desired in what represents it, its sign, its trace†¦. Differance is â€Å"that which produces different things, that which differentiates, is the common root of all the oppositional concepts that mark our language†¦ † (Positions, 89). Differance is neither structure nor origin, â€Å"such an alternative itself being an ‘effect' of differance. † Even so, studying the operations of differance requires that the writer use such concepts as structure and origin and â€Å"borrow the syntaxic and lexical resources of the language of metaphysics† even if the writer wishes to deconstruct this language ( Positions, pp. -10). Derrida indicates that differance is not an origin. Neither language nor writing springs in differance. Instead, Derrida says, differance allows the play of absence and presence, writing and thought, structure and force by means of which the question of origin comes to know itself. Saussure and Derrida Exactly at this point one is faced with one of the most problematic though fascinating dimensions of Derrida's theory. The problem, stated above, is that, as soon as it is recognized that there are no simple, unsignified, transcendental signifiers that fix and warrant the meaning of the words, that there exist no originals to which the words can be attributed, one comes to conditions where even this acknowledgement itself seems to have become â€Å"floating† (May 125). Derrida resolves this difficult situation with the help of above discussed theory of signs and of language developed by Ferdinand de Saussure. Despite the idea that language is in a fundamental way a naming process, attaching words to things, Saussure had claimed that language is a system, or a structure. In the structure any individual element is meaningless outside the boundaries of that structure. In language, he asserts, there are only differences. But – and here the ideas of Saussure are basic for Derrida's deconstruction of the metaphysics of presence – these differences are not differences between positive terms, that is between terms that in and by themselves are connected with objects or things outside the system. Accordingly, in language, Saussure indicates, there are only differences without positive terms (May 127). But if this is true, if there are no positive terms, then it means that one can no longer define the differential position of language itself by means of a positive term either. Difference without positive terms indicates that this dimension must itself always be left unperceived for, roughly speaking, it is unconceptualizable. It is a difference that cannot be returned into the order of the same and, through a signifier, given individual characteristics. This suggests, then, that â€Å"the play of difference, which, as Saussure reminded us, is the condition for the possibility and functioning of every sign, is in itself a silent play† (Derrida 1982, 5). If, however, one wants to articulate that – one must first of all admit that there can never be a word or a concept to correspond to this silent play. One must also admit that this play cannot merely be exposed, for â€Å"one can expose only that which at a certain moment can become present† (Derrida 1982, 5). And one must ultimately admit that there is nowhere to begin, â€Å"for what is put into question is precisely the quest for a rightful beginning, an absolute point of departure† (Derrida 1982, 6). All this, and more, is acknowledged in the new â€Å"word† or â€Å"concept† – â€Å"which is neither a word nor a concept† (Derrida 1982:7) but a â€Å"neographism† (Derrida 1982:13) – of differance. The motive why Derrida uses â€Å"what is written as difference† (Derrida 1982, 11) is not difficult to understand. For although â€Å"the play of difference† (Derrida 1982, 11) is introduced as something for the opportunity of all conceptuality, one should not make the mistaken opinion to think that one has finally discovered the real origin of conceptuality. That, expressing the same idea but differently, this play is a playful but despite that transcendental signified. Strictly speaking, in order to avoid this mistake one must acknowledge that the differences that make up the play of difference â€Å"are themselves effects† (Derrida 1982:11, original emphasis). As Derrida claims, What is written as differance, then, will be the playing movement that â€Å"produces† – by means of something that is not simply an activity – these differences, these effects of difference. This does not mean that the differance that produces differences is somehow before them, in a simple and unmodified – in-different – present. Differance is the non-full, non-simple, structured and differentiating origin of differences. Thus, the name â€Å"origin† no longer suits. (Derrida 1982, 11) Although differance is straightforwardly connected with a structuralist idea of meaning – that Derrida recognizes when he indicates that he sees no reason to question the truth of what Saussure proposes (Derrida 1976, 39), there is one important aspect in which differance is outside the scope of structuralism. The point here is that Derrida clearly refuses to accept the primary character of structure itself. Structure is not a transcendental represented (for which reason Derrida notes that he does not want to question the truth of what Saussure proposes â€Å"on the level on which he says it [original emphasis] â€Å"but does want to question the logocentric way in which Saussure says it (Derrida 1976, 39). Structure is even less the effect of an original presence coming before and causing it (Derrida 1978, 278-9). What differance tries to express is the differential character of the â€Å"origin† of structure itself. It is in this relation that one might observe that Derrida's writing is poststructural. To some degree, surely, differance appears when Saussure's examination of how language operates. â€Å"In language,† Saussure indicates, â€Å"there are only differences. Even more important: a difference generally implies positive terms between which the difference is set up; but in language there are only differences without positive terms† (Positions, 120). Derrida's differance in an obvious manner is like Saussure's differences. At the end of Positions, for instance, Derrida specifies â€Å"as differance the movement according to which language, or any other code, any system of reference in general, is constituted ‘historically' as a tissue of differences† (Positions, 104). But Derrida makes an effort to go further. Whereas Saussure considers the differences in a semiotic system as the set of constantly changing relationships the speaker manipulates in order to produce meaning, Derrida defines differance as the boundless disappearance of either an origin of or a final place for meaning. When Derrida describes differance, he always does so by examining what it is not. Rather than considering language in the traditional way, as a set of external signs of already farmed internal thoughts (characteristic of â€Å"logocentrism†), Derrida, like Saussure and modern linguistics, thinks of users of language producing coded, that is, repeatable, marks or traces that originate from within certain unities of meaning as â€Å"effects† of the code. These traces are not fundamentally meaningful in themselves but â€Å"arbitrary† and â€Å"conventional† (Menke 96). Thus there is no difference whether one says â€Å"rex,† â€Å"rol,† or â€Å"king† so long as â€Å"we† – those who share these conventions – can tell the difference between rex and lex, roi and loi, and king and sing (Menke 96). The meaning – is a process of the difference, of the distance or the â€Å"spacing† between the traces, what is called, in an absolutely serious way, the â€Å"play† of differences or traces. By the â€Å"play of differences† Derrida defines the differential spacing, the recognized distance, the recognized (heard, seen) intervals between traces first analyzed in structural linguistics (Menke 97). Conclusion A comprehensive historical examination of deconstruction would necessarily include numerous precursors and forerunners: Freud, Hegel, Heidegger, Husserl, Lacan, Levi-Strauss, Marx, Nietzsche, Saussure. . . . However, it can be said that the history of contemporary deconstruction begins with Jacques Derrida De la grammatologie (1967) that opens with a critique of Saussure. Saussure’s theory of language is here framed within a metaphysical system that extends from Plato and Aristotle to Heidegger and Levi-Strauss. By Derrida this theory is called â€Å"logocentric. † Saussure marks a concluding stage of the long logocentric epoch. Derrida indicates that logocentrism imposed itself upon the world and controlled the theory of language. Derrida’s contributions laid ground for future epoch. In the role of prophet, Derrida concludes his â€Å"Exergue† indicating: â€Å"The future can only be anticipated in the form of an absolute danger. It is that which breaks absolutely with constituted normality and can only be proclaimed, presented, as a sort of monstrosity. For that future world and for that within it which will have put into question the values of sign, word, and writing, for that which guides our future anterior, there is as yet no exergue† (Derrida 1967).

The Decision by Supreme Court Concerning the Jones v Kernott Case Free Essay Example, 2500 words

Leonard Kernott and Patricia Jones started cohabiting in 1983 and had two children. They purchased a family home in joint names at 39 Badger Hall Avenue for 30,000 in 1984. The couple lived in this home for around eleven years. Upon separation of the two in 1993, Kernott deserted their family home, while the claimant stayed with children in the house. Jones did not apply for the Child Support Agency. Kernott quit making mortgage contribution to the property and demonstrated little commitment towards maintaining their two children. Their joint effort in selling the property for 70,000 in October 1995 was unsuccessful. The parties, however, cashed in on mutually owned insurance policy, of which the proceeds were shared equally. Kernott used his share to mortgage a house at 114 Stanley Road in Essex for around 57,000. Jones used her share to perform cosmetic surgery. Kernott invoked correspondence in order to claim his share of the property at 39 Badger Hall Avenue. In 2007, Jones f iled a lawsuit against Kernott s claim for a joint share of the property (Mee 2012). We will write a custom essay sample on The Decision by Supreme Court Concerning the Jones v Kernott Case or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page The decision was that the parties were entitled to an equal share of the property at 39 Badger Hall Avenue. This was based on finding that the intention of the parties was unchanged. Jones had filed an appeal to the Supreme Court, which led to the restoration of Strauss s decision (Yip 2012; Mee 2012).