Read and compare texts and their interpretations. What is the difference between the text and its interpretation?

(Texts are translated from the book of St-Petersburg professor specialized in Latin

Vadim Rabinovich “…” Moscow: Kniga, 1991. Pp. 12-15).

 

№ 1.Knowledge (scientia) is the word that may define the conditions under which easier actual understanding of what is true and what is false takes place; it may also define the act of pure speculation (speculation as thinking, considering); it may also define the prerequisites of the act of knowledge. Knowledge is the condition of teaching under which the student starts to know by one’s own experience and in this case it is called research; otherwise knowledge is transmitted by somebody; in this case knowledge for the teacher means doctrine and for the student it is discipline.

Interpretation: As we see knowledge is the adaptation of one’s experience (whether it is yours or others). The conditions, whether we (1) obtain knowledge by living, or (2) take knowledge from teachers completely relying on them), we most evidently choose by ourselves. But in any case, if one chooses the second approach to obtain knowledge (that is, completely relying on teachers), it’s worth knowing that even having learnt the discipline one needs to check it by one’s own (research) experience; otherwise knowledge is nothing but the doctrines of the others.

 

№ 2.«Scientia is a science taught and studied, so its followers (adepts) are a doctor and a scholar, a master and a student in their holistic settings (linkages), otherwise, a scientist (one who knows) and a learner (one who learns how to become one)”.

Interpretation: Here we see the significance of interaction for obtaining knowledge, as the person who studies and the one who teaches are forming a holistic set, a linkage: each element of the linkage is molding the other (each is the cortege of the other).

 

№ 3.«’ Lego’ (от ‘lectio’) means to listen to and get some information, to see and differentiate by seeing; to read and listen at the same time. In its turn ‘lectio’ means collecting, making choices, reading, but also texts and their comments …».

 

Interpretation: Studying the meaning of Latin words we can discuss what is “lecture” or “classes” at the university. Lecture is not aimed to give knowledge. Its aim is to give opinions, attitudes, evaluation and choice (what is worth paying attention to and what is not, which definition to choose and which is not). The lecture is the very beginning of knowledge: it is aimed to push you to reading, thinking, investigating (research), to push you to a real cognition. Listening to lectures is just a starting step to obtain knowledge.

1 2.2. Choose a text and propose your own interpretation. Write it down, present and discuss in the group.

1.

«Europe without philology… is a civilized Sahara, damned by God. There one can still find Castles, Kremlins, Acropolis, Gothic towns, Cathedrals, but people will watch them without understanding and even may get frightened of them, not knowing what force have made them appear and which blood is in running in the veins of this powerful architecture”.

 

2.

«Why should one equal a word with what it denotes: thing, grass, object? Is the thing the master of the word? The word is Psychea ( Goddess of the Soul – I. O). A word which is alive and functioning doesn’t mean the object as it is, but as if chooses it as a body for temporary living. Thus words are wandering around their objects like the soul is wandering around a left but not forgotten body.… Word as a symbol of, word as a way of, word as a sense of…». The hierarchy of 4 meanings is defined by Dante in his work «Festivity Dinner”: «Direct meaning teaches us what happened; Allegory (cognitive meaning) brings us beliefs; Moral (pragmatic meaning) teaches us how to act; what you strive at is being discovered by analogy».

Ž Finding a problem and discussing

Problem is a question to be considered, solved, or answered: math problems; the problem of how to arrange transportation.

Problem - a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved; race problem - a social and political problem caused by conflict between races occupying the same or adjacent regions balance-of-payments problem - an economic problem caused by payments for imports being greater than receipts for exports.

Problem - noun 1. difficulty, trouble, dispute, plight, obstacle, dilemma, headache (informal) disagreement, complication, predicament, quandary.

(1)The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

(2)Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

_ 3.1. Read the text and explain in your own words (interpretation):

 

· What is Round Table?

· What is its goal?

· Who participates in it?

· What is the role of its mediator?

· What responsibilities do the participants have?