The Nature of Worldview
Language, Culture, and Knowledge in Context - A Functional-Cognitive Approach - Brian Nolan
Brian Nolan [+ ]
Technological University Dublin (retired)
Description
In Chapter 3, The nature of worldview, we examine the notion of worldview, its importance to how we perceive, conceive and experience, and act in the world. A worldview is the fundamental cognitive orientation of an individual and society encompassing the whole of the individual's or society's knowledge. We touch upon the relationship between language and worldview. We discuss the use of the term worldview as introduced by von Humboldt, the German philosopher. Many linguists believe that each language system opens up a new world for us, in which the concepts with which we speak and think, are shaped differently. This is controversial and not yet proven by any means. We briefly survey what evidence might provide support for this perspective, and offer relevant definitions of the term worldview, and examine the functions a worldview provides to us.