Classifying, categorizing, and naming

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Revision as of 17:45, 18 April 2011 by Hunjes22 (Talk | contribs) (Discussion of the capability in individuals)

Discussion of the capability in individuals

This is an awareness. Making distinctions between aspects of a situation requires awareness of oneself in relation to the scenario. Meta-cognition is a highly developed trait in humans it would seem. Individuals are able to find patterns and solutions for nearly everything we experience. The logical left brain facilitates this as the right brain absorbs "raw" information from the outside world [1]. Much classifying is unconscious, but when focused attention is given to analyzing a situation, the brain is able to discern new categories based on chosen values. A militant group might see a genocide as a chance to vie for power while a humanitarian worker would see a violation of human rights in need of aide. The different criteria used to analyze this situation may seem very personal and unconscious, yet we all have the ability to view the situation from another perspective. The perspective is chosen.

Once the perspective is chosen, the individual classifies traits in relation to their values. Then they may categorize the traits into those that are helpful, those that deter, and those that are irrelevant. Naming the categories labels the traits in the mind for quick remembrance to quickly sort them while applying them to possible solutions. This helps us understand problems better, relative to our perspective.

Discussion of the capability in society

How it currently works

Examples

Potential deficiencies

Idealized version of how the capability would work in society

Questions

  • Who holds the power to name, and in what context?
    • Why is it important to know who holds this power?

References