BRYAN PIEL AB-PHILO IV BRO.

DARYLL LOUIS CAMARGO

PHILOSOPHY OF LANGUAGE
UNITY IN DIVERSITY
Johannes Scotus Eriugena once said, “Beauty is unity in diversity.” This
statement is true. Behind differences, there are similarities and behind multiplicity, there
is oneness. There is always beauty in unity of the diversity. Although different, still
harmonious. A concrete example for this concept is the analogy of the orchestra. In the
orchestra, there are different instruments that is being played; they differ in role.
Notwithstanding the different role, when played together, they will be in a harmony. How
is this possible? It is because of the conductor. The function of the conductor is to unify
a large group of musician into a core instead of a wild bunch of different sounds surging
out. Moreover, the conductor is responsible for determining the speed, the instrumental
balance, the volume levels, the note length, the phrasing and dramatic pacing of any
piece of music the orchestra plays. The conductor unifies the instrumentalists and
makes the sound harmonious. In the Greek philosophical thinking regarding the world,
they assert that it is the logos that unifies and harmonizes the diverse and the opposite;
the Logos is the conductor.
The Greeks in the antiquity already investigated words and language. Heraclitus,
one of the Ionian philosophers is known for his Idea of the constant change. He is the
one who qouted that, “Everything is in the constant flux.” All are subject to change
including language. Despite the constant change, there is something or someone that is
not affected of the change, that is, Logos. In the field of language, Logos harmonizes
among being, thought, and language. The natural bond between words and the things
they designate is formed by Logos. Even to speak with rational mind is dependent on
Logos, the source of right measure and proportion.
When we will try to analyze, in order to have a harmony of the diverse and the
opposite, there must be an objective basis, someone or something that our principle is
anchored to. This Logos, harmonizes, balances, neutralizes, controls, and unifies
everything that is subject to change. In the modern period, language also develops and
changes. There are many words that are added in the dictionary. The language is
changed according to the context because it is said that words are subject to flux. In the
context of our Catholic faith, the language used in the liturgy also changes and varies.
We change in language because of necessity. From the official Latin to English and to
our vernacular language. The Roman Catholic Church in the different parts of the world,
uses different language. Despite differences, still we worship in perfect harmony. There
is still harmony despite the different languages that are used; there is still uniformity
despite variations; there is still unity despite diversity; there is a natural bond between
the text and the One we worship through words. What harmonizes and unifies is God.
Logos, the Greek term when Christianized, is referred to God. It is evident in the Gospel
of St. John.
Change in language is indeed inevitable. The language is subject for innovation
and development due to necessity. Despite changes, there must be someone or
something who will remain and not affected by that change. Because if it will be
affected, then it will be subject also to change. Thus, Logos, according to the Greeks, is
not subject to change, and all change is dependent to it. Logos makes us united for we
have the same basis despite differences. Logos is the reason why there is beauty in the
unity of diversity.