ANALYZING SITUATIONS THAT SHOWS DIFFERENCE

BETWEEN OPINION AND TRUTH

Ludwig Wittgenstein's Tractatus is a significant philosophical work that explores the relationship
between language and reality, defining the limits of science. It highlights the meaning of the
picture and propositions, which are based on their capacity for being true or false. The logic of
language explains how elements fit states of affairs and how they can be linked together,
allowing us to make decisions based on this logic.

Wittgenstein posits that the world is composed of states of affairs, not things, and can be
represented in a picture through projection. He compares this to music, arguing that everyday
language can reproduce complex and opaque situations.

The author argues that news reporting and journalism have evolved over time, with words now
having both cognitive and emotive meanings. The US war on terror has produced emotive
expressions like "terrorists," "axis of evil," "band of zealots," and "Either you are with us or
against us." Positive terms like democracy, good governance, and love are also used.

Con artists take advantage of the emotive side of language in two very important ways. First,
they use emotive meaning masked as cognitive meaning to whip up emotions so that reason
gets overlooked. Secondly, they use emotively neutral terms of euphemisms to dull the force of
what they say and, thus, make acceptable what otherwise might not be.

Political speeches often use rich words and symbols to evoke emotions and sympathies from
listeners, viewers, and readers.

Ignorance in newsmagazine writing can lead to a false sense of authority, questioning their
competence. Handouts from English-speaking government agencies and correspondents may
also be culturally incompetent, unaware of the language or customs of the countries they
report on.
1. According to Ludwig Wittgenstein's Tractatus, what is the primary relationship explored in
the text?
a) The relationship between language and mathematics
b) The relationship between language and emotions
c) The relationship between language and aesthetics
d) The relationship between language and reality

2. How does Wittgenstein describe the world in the Tractatus?

a) Composed of physical objects
b) Composed of states of affairs
c) Composed of abstract concepts
d) Composed of linguistic constructs

3. In the context of language usage, how do con artists manipulate emotive meaning according
to the text?
a) By using emotionally neutral euphemisms
b) By emphasizing cognitive meaning over emotive meaning
c) By using emotive meaning to stir up emotions and override reason
d) By avoiding language entirely and using non-verbal communication

4. What is the significance of rich words and symbols in political speeches, as mentioned in the
text?
a) They clarify complex political issues
b) They make speeches more difficult to understand
c) They evoke emotions and sympathy in the audience
d) They are irrelevant in political communication

5. How does ignorance in newsmagazine writing affect the perception of authority, according to
the text?
a) It may lead to a false sense of authority and question their competence
b) It has no impact on the perception of authority
c) It enhances the credibility of the writers
d) It increases the accuracy of news reporting

Answer
1.D
2.B
3.C
4.C
5.A