Violence and Language (trans. P. Mikulska)

Paul RICOEUR

Patrycja MIKULSKA

John Paul II Institute, Faculty of Philosophy, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 14, 20-950 Lublin, Poland , Poland

Abstract

The author analyses the opposition, fundamental for the human existence, of the coherent discourse and violence, indicating the examples of the use of language (speech) in politics, poetry, and philosophy. From this analysis he draws a theoretical conclusion that finality is a necessary characteristics of language, while the reduction of language to instrumental intelligence serves violence. He also claims that the problem of violence in speech can be solved only by understanding the speaking subject and by studying language not only in the aspect of its structure, but also in that of its meaning. The author also formulates practical guidelines of the good use of language in the face of violence. He claims that it is necessary to affirm the theoretical truth, basic for his analysis, about the radical opposition between coherent discourse and violence, to bear witness to this truth as an imperative, and to practice non-violent discourse, i.e., to respect multiplicity and diversity of languages, as well as their hierarchy.

Summarized by Patrycja Mikulska

Keywords:

language, violence, speech, coherent discourse, instrumental intelligence, subject, finality of language