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Structure . and . Ideology
The links in the table on the left take you to sub-headings in this article.
Sub-headings |
Contrasting Value and Meaning Now I revisit the domain of values and meaning, and bring in more ideas about ideology. The individual produces meanings from his contact with society. Society produces values from its contact with the individual. |
| Language & ideology | |
| Interpretation | |
| Reference |
What happens when we put meanings and values together ? We get another formulation of consciousness.
Consciousness = values + meanings.
Value becomes the way that
the diachronic (the past) is structured.
For the materialist, values outweigh
meanings ; the diachronic mode directs the synchronic mode. The
person lives his life in the past tense. His psychological
structure is a hierarchy of values.
Meaning becomes the way that
the synchronic (the present) is lived.
For the existentialist, meanings outweigh
values ; the synchronic mode resolves the diachronic mode. A
flexible life is desired ; structure is a problem to be overcome.
Structure is produced by making the same repetitive value judgements. Such repetitive value judgements are produced by fixed beliefs. Hence as psycho-analysis dissolves unwanted fixed beliefs so the individual graduates to freedom from the tyranny of determined values. Values become optional, the product of choice, instead of compulsory.
Consciousness has both a dialectical and a relative component. Consciousness is dialectical conditioning (or social learning) and relative practice. Nietzsche predicted that the task of the modern philosopher is to revalue all the values of tradition. The revaluation of all values is the revaluation of the diachronic signifieds. This can only be accomplished upon the basis of new meanings, of a new synchronic practice.
The diachronic mode is revalued by the synchronic mode ; new values require the prior genesis of new meanings. Relative practice enables individuals to change their values: individuals select their own destiny, their own essence.
Ferdinand de Saussure’s concept of the sign did not inaugurate a revaluation of values since he was unable to incorporate change into it.
Language & Ideology
Is Saussure’s formulation of the linguistic sign actually wrong ? I answer this in the article Logic of Consciousness. Meanwhile he only saw half of the problem that language poses. His sign of language (because it is arbitrary, or relative in the traditional sense) is a stance of philosophical Idealism. Capitalism is the present form of materialism. As a projection of an ideology of arbitrary values onto nature, capitalism approximates to an Idealist framework. In so far as language supports this framework then language is an ideology too, and so this sign finds its use within the capitalist mentality.
Whereas, because the sign of consciousness is non-linguistic (it arises prior to language), when it is explored it takes the individual out of ideology and out of dependence on capitalism as a system of values. As an example, Rousseau preferred to follow the tender sensibilities of his heart !
In general, ideology, as a self-sufficient system of values, (see the article Paradigm & Ideology) is created when the sign of language is projected onto reality, that is, when reality is constrained to fit within an arbitrary valuation. Ideology thus becomes a social form of philosophical Idealism – the world is seen as we are socially conditioned to want it to be. In this manner language can easily generate social passivity. By this I mean that the psychological loop of projection and introjection no longer functions in an evolutionary way. [¹]
Projection and introjection are functions of consciousness. Hence they also apply to its derivative, the linguistic sign. Projection, as an outward-looking mechanism, centres on values. Introjection, being inward-looking, centres on meanings. In language it is the signifier that is structured, and so contains value. I bring in ideology as a form of social persuasion.
Splitting up the sign of language into its two components, we have :
| a) | Projection of the signifier produces value
based on ideological domination : the person has his values determined for him. |
| b) | Introjection of the signified produces
ideological meaning : the person subjects himself to social control. |
Compare the sign of consciousness :
| c) | Value is projected in the form of phantasy or
imagination : this gives rise to creativity. |
| d) | Meaning is introjected by reality testing (or
empiricism) : reality is used for originating new concepts, new patterns of thought. |
Interpretation of all these ideas:
They are essentially an exploration of morality and of the problems that beset the idealist when he attempts to put his ideals into practice. Morality is a social construct and is centred on values. Language is the repository of values, not meanings. And some of these values are moral ones. So morality comes within the sign of language. This relationship can be defined as follows.
Morality is a linguistic product made into a social practice.
Nothing can be made into a social practice until it can be communicated, until it can be expressed directly in language. (See article on Morality). For comparison, virtues of individuality are natural and flourish outside of morality, outside of language. Such virtues centre on the sign of consciousness.
When value is postulated to reside in language, its terminus is morality.
When meaning is postulated to lie outside of language, based on natural feelings (and not conditioned ones), its terminus is individual virtue.
The number in brackets at the end of the reference takes you back to the paragraph that featured it.
[¹]. There is an article Projection and Introjection on my websites Discover your mind and The Strange World of Emotion. See Links page for the addresses. [1]
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The articles in this section are :
Structure and Ideology
Copyright
© 2003 Ian Heath
All Rights Reserved
The copyright is mine, and the article is free to use. It can be reproduced anywhere, so long as the source is acknowledged.
Ian Heath
London, UKMy email address is likely to change.
So if you want to write to me, go to the Home page and use the address at the bottom,or click on http://www.modern-thinker.co.uk/