1. (Page166-167) Nisbett claims that Easterners have a "lack of interest in logic" and rely more on "sense impressions and common sense." On the other hand, he says that Westerners are more concerned with logic. Do you agree with this difference between Easterners and Westerners? Please support your opinion by giving examples.
2. (Page176) Nisbett argues that Westerners are often unaware of their strong commitment to their logical principles, such as "law of identity" and "law of noncontradiction." Regarding the Eastern "dialecticism," how do you think the Westerner's "unawareness" can affect intercultural communication?
3.(Page189) Do you tend to believe in the American way that skills are what you have or don't, and it is a quality that is fixed? Or do you think in the Asian way that anyone can learn to do math if one is under the "right circumstances" and put in enough effort? What experience makes you think so?
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Miki Kawate
Miyuki Shinohara
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3.I think it's to do with our mental thoughts if we can do things or not. For example, if a person want's to be able to play the piano, their passion for piano will enable them to become more good at it because it is most likely that they will practice and practice because they love what they are doing(this is similar to the 'single direction' way of thinking of the western people. They only see their final aim).From this, it is most likely that people will say that this person has the 'talent' to play the piano.
ReplyDeleteHowever, on the other hand, if a person doesn't want to play the piano, but their parents or somebody forced them to, the majority is that that person will not be practicing to play and therefore they will not develop their skills in playing the piano. From this situation, people would say that this person has no 'talent' towards the piano.
What I am trying to say is that people are able to do things in the most efficient way if they like what they are doing(I think this type of mentality is in all human beings). Even if a person does make effort and commitment to the things they don't like, in the end it all depends on the person's feeling whether to study more on it or not. However, I think every subject in this world can be interesting when it is studied very deeply. For example, when I study a subject that I don't like but I am forced to because there are tests for that subject, I have a choice whether to study only the facts that is in the test, or on the on the other hand to to study what is 'outside' the textbook( this is similar to what Meiland, Fisher, Barner say). If I choose to study more into the subject, I become interested in the 'untouched facts' and it enables me to think more(critical thinking).
I guess 'I think' in the Asian way, it is no the matter of skills that one may be born with but it is about the effort that one puts into. However, it is important that people should understand their true feeling towards the subject. They could give it challenge(and not give up) in the end and continue to study the subject that they did not like to see if they really do not like it but if they end up not liking it at all, then I think it will be best not to spend more time on thinking about that subject, since it could cause them to become stressed, which we all do not like.
To Uka,
ReplyDeleteThank you for being the first one to comment on chapter 7 :) I agree with you that people can achieve things if they are “under the right circumstances” and put in enough effort. I also recalled my memory of my childhood and that I was not able to gain a lot from what I disliked but on the other hand developed more skills from what I loved to do and simply put in more effort. Moreover, I do not agree with Nisbett who states that Westerners regard skills as something “fixed.” Do they really think so in the Western culture? I am not sure since I have never encountered any Westerner who says that they think so and I think Nisbett did not give enough evidence for that notion.
[3] I think mainly in the Asian way,but at the same time the American way makes some sense to me. If one is under the "right circumstances" , put in enough effort, and willing to obtain an ability(As Uka said, it is important) ,I think it is sure that one can obtain it because the circumstances are "right", and the effort is "enough". What I want to say is that there are cases that effort or circumstance which is needed is too enormous or special for us to get and such cases make us think that there is a "talent", that is, the American way of think is right.
ReplyDeleteWe can learn to do what needs moderate efforts or circumstance. For example it would be possible for almost all people to learn to have good handwriting. However it may seem almost impossible to have many abilities needed to become astronaut and the reason is that , I think , becoming astronaut needs a great deal of efforts and special circumstance. I think we start to think in the American way when we know the person who could do such thing though the reason they could do is that they were in "right" circumstances and made good efforts.
From the process I wrote, I guess, I tend to think in the Asian way thinking the American way makes some sense.
2. According to Nisbett in this chapter, Easterners are in favour of dialecticism and try to find a Middle Way (178). On the other hand Westerners think there can be only one solution. A way of thinking that separates things into good and bad, two sides. If Westerners and Easterners do have those kinds of characteristic their intercultural interactions will turn out to be disastrous. Westerners will demand a straightforward yes or no answer while Easterners will search for something everyone can agree on. In such cases Easterners will be weaker in the sense that they cannot make a clear decision. Westerners will hold on to their beliefs unless they are provided with sufficient evidence against their beliefs, making it difficult for easterners to find compromises. The matter will be all the more complicated should Westerners be unaware of their behaviour. If they understood that Easterners wanted a Middle Way and they were not helping by seeing the topic as having only two solutions they would at least try to be cooperative. So I think the westerner’s “unawareness” has a large effect on intercultural communications and perhaps this is the reason why some people insist Easterners (Japanese in particular) have trouble communicating with westerners. Easterners should also try to keep a firm basis of their own idea to keep the communication going smoothly and this is something we can learn by studying how to think critically, the “new kinds of intellectual work” at university Meiland was talking about. Which seems a long time ago, and it surprises me that I still remember what Meiland said in the ELP reader.
ReplyDelete3) Similar to what Uka and Kohtaro said, I believe in Asian way, but at the same time, I also think Western way is right.
ReplyDeleteIn Japan, while we were in elementary school, or middle school, we were made to do every subject whether we like it or not. Since high school, we can choose classes between math and science or social history. And, in university, the study is more specialized. I think this is because we all have our specialty that we are good at, at the same time we all have things that we are not good at. However, even if we have likes and dislikes, while we were young, it doesn’t really matter, because the learning we do at elementary school and middle school are still general things, and this make us tend to think we can learn to do math if one is under the “right circumstances”. Many of us have only learned math in general, but the study become more complicated, it is when to test whether we have skills or not. What I want to say is that, we all have chances to learn to do math if we are under the “right circumstances” and put in enough effort, but they can never be better than those who are “talented”.
3.
ReplyDeleteLike Uka said, I also think that people tend to excel or succeed in whatever that they do especially if they WANT to do it or learn it.
Sometimes though, the desire to want to be able to do something is just not enough or it just might not matter. Take the child who has been forced to play the piano from a very young age for example. When the child started playing the piano, he or she may have been too young to say "no, I don't want to play the piano." The child would just do it because the mother said so. The child would play, he or she will be praised and eventually playing the piano well would be something obvious. There are things that people are just "good" at. Another example is that while I was at school in England, we had to take all three sciences; physics, chemistry and biology. I personally liked biology best and yet when test results came, I always had best score in physics (which I liked least). Same thing applied when I had to learn Spanish, Latin and French. I liked and enjoyed Spanish and Latin. Yet my French scores were so much higher. There may be other variables to consider but overall I tended to do well in subjects I did not particularly like.
However, even after saying all that, I think that the desire to want to do something definitely encourages people to put effort into whatever that they are doing.
But, like people who have answered question 3 before me said, I think that under the "right circumstances" people can learn to do things. One of the main things that goes under "right circumstances" would be money. Whether it may be sports or playing an instrument or learning a new language, you need money to pay for equipment or teachers. Better equipment and better teachers would most likely to give better results.
However, now that I think about it, what does it mean by "skills". Is it, for example being able to speak French? Or is it being able to learn how to speak French. Is "skill" the process, or the outcome?
If it is the process, then maybe you are born with it. But maybe you can train for it. Now I do not know which side to take. Is it possible that it could be a little bit of both?
To Yu,
ReplyDeleteI also think that this unawareness of the Westerners can harm intercultural communication. This reminded me of what Barna said in the ELP Reader. He says that the people from the United States tend to hold the “assumption of similarity” stronger than other cultures. This maybe why Westerners sometimes complain that the Asians, especially the Japanese, never come to conclusions in conferences. This is because the Westerners think that decisions should be straight forward answers while the Japanese think that the middle way can be the conclusion. And the Western notion of the Japanese results in the Japanese believing that foreigners will not understand them. I think this “stumbling block” of the Westerners unawareness can make intercultural communication a harder one. I think both, Westerners and Easterners should try to be more flexible and understand each other. Then, we can use the benefits of each culture and these diverse views will help us in problem solving.
(This post is from Ms Hanaki)
ReplyDelete1)
I tend to think in the Asian way that anyone can learn to do math if one is under the right circumstance and put in enough effort. However, I admit that some people who are really good at involving to math problems have some kind of "talent given from the God". I mean, there are things we can learn by our effort and we can't and math belongs to latter one. When I was junior high school student, I didn't like studying and that I went over nearly every class with sleeping. Nearly all of my grades were B(I was surprised that teachers didn't give me C, which means worst grade!) every time so finally my parents had me go to cramming school. Because teachers there were good and information they give was interesting, I came to love studying and my grade got better. I think you can see why I think in the Asian way so far. However, there was a problem. There was no improvement in recognition in math in comparison to other subjects! In addition, when I was in high school, there was a student whose ability in solving math was absolutely higher than any other students in the class and he was more like genius than brilliant person. In other words, some kind of "sense" is needed to some works, include solving math problems. However, I think people can learn skills generally.
(1)As I have never lived in foreign country, I do not know if Westerners concern with logic in the casual conversation. As one of the Japanese, I feel that most Japanese people do not care whether the claim is logical or illogical in the casual conversation. Eaven if people realize the claim is not logial, they do not mention it because they think it will spoile the talks. If what one says is interesting or have good impressions, no one would insist that it is illogial. I think this tendency reflect Asians' way of thinking which regard social realation as important. As Asians think social relation is important, they try not to disturb peace and order of community to which they belong.
ReplyDelete3) I think of talent in the Asian way although ,like Miyuki said, I am not sure if the Westerners really think that talents are fixed. If they really thought so, why would they practice or study? I have many friends in America who study and practice hard. They do not give up easily and I respect them for it. Anyways, I think talent and skills can be improved if the person is willing to make lots of effort. When people first do something, sometimes some people are better than others. However that gap can be covered by the efforts one makes. If the person that did better at first does not make much effort, they will easily be overtaken by the person who made much effort. As for math, it can be improved if you study hard. I think math is one of the subjects that can be improved easily. You just have to be patient with it and solve as many problems as you can. At first, you will probably be frustrated with the fact that you can't solve it, but as you solve more and more problems, you get used to the questions and how you have to answer them. Afterwards, you sort of enjoy choosing what kind of solution you use to solve it. There is no single answer for math so it is fun to figure out the different solutions.
ReplyDeleteI think I sort of got off track... What I meant to say is that if you are willing to make efforts to improve your skills and enjoy doing it, you will most likely improve. From my own examples, studying for the entrance exams was like this. When I had just retired from badminton club in twelth grade, I did not feel like studying and my grades were not so good. As I made myself study, however, I began to sort of enjoy gaining more and more knowledge. In the end, I improved in pretty much every subject and I got scores good enough to enter ICU:)
As Nisbett has mentioned, if we say that what Nisbett is saying about the “law of noncontradiction” is correct, we can assume that Westerners will have problems in accepting compromises, or that several different answers about the same problem cannot exist at the same time. This may pose a problem in situations where Asians and Westerners need to express their opinions to reach a solution or conclusion. Asians may accept multiple opinions as being true, which will make it hard for Westerners to actually get to the act of arguing in the first place. “The law of identity”, which “holds that a thing is itself and not some other thing”, may have other problems. Asians may expect things to change with the situation, and expect others to view things in the same way, which may result in problems like the one on page 197. One side believed that here was a definite reason for the situation, while the other side believed that the situation was a result of various factors, making it hard for each side to communicate with each other. Not being aware that ways of thinking are different from culture to culture and person to person can make these problems even more complicated than they are.
ReplyDelete3
ReplyDeleteI think I'm rather on the American way of thinking. I believe that everyone has their own specialty and talents, like the guy on TED lecture said the other day in class. It's a matter of how to find it or using it effectively. Without these differences on skills, anyone can be Eric Clapton which will make this world really boring; What you thought you were special at, actually anyone can do.
I also think that you can train yourself and become better at it than you used to, but my opinion is that nothing can overcome talent.
3.
ReplyDeleteI believe in the American way because I personally think that every human-being is born with a specific gift. It is the tool to fulfill our mission and gives us the real meaning of life as everyone is created for a certain reason. In fact, we often struggle to find the right path as long as we do not know our own strength and make ourselves believe that anyone can learn to do math or any other things if one is under the "right circumstances" and put in enough effort.
For example, can you ever imagine this? －Barrack Obama as sushi master, Michael Jackson as bank clerk and Me, as god of mathematics? At least, Obama could be a second-rate sushi master, Michael a third- rate bank clerk (He could sing, but he couldn’t count). Even under the slogan “Yes, we can!”, none of them would make it with bravo because they are not simply made for that. ….And neither am I. I can tell you this: With or without effort, under right or wrong circumstances, either way, I would never ever overcome my math-phobia so as to let my obvious (?) hidden mathematical talent blossom.
In my opinion, the Asian way consists of the idea how the others perceive (judge) us, not how “we” perceive the world, and this must be the most important thing in life. I used to bring my children up in the Asian way, and then switched to the American way because I suddenly realized that I`d been doing so wrong. Now, my kids are much happier, more relaxed and satisfied with themselves, which makes me happy in return. I think it is not my job as mother to modify them what they should be like “the Jacks of all trades” who look too serious and stiff to enjoy the life, however, I’d rather want to respect what they really are by helping them with finding out their specific talents. Therefore, instead of trying to prove ourselves to others how many things we can, we should find out and focus on what we are really good at, which creates our life worthwhile and something extraordinary. For that reason, I’d rather agree with the American way of thinking.
To Ryoko,
ReplyDeleteI was only thinking about “skills” required at school until I read your comment. When I talk about skills in terms of schoolwork (especially, in compulsory education), I think skills will be gained in some amount with the person’s effort. However, as you mentioned, I also believe that we are all given special gifts which we can make efficient use of. Your comment reminded me of what Jean Calvin said as “Beruf,” –one’s calling and life work given by God. The process of finding your special talent and Beruf may be a hard path but I guess in that way, people will be able to live happier and more satisfied lives. Consequently, I think we need both, the Asian and the Western way. The sense that anyone will be able to do something with one’ effort will encourage people to try many things, and at the same time, although I am not a Christian, believing in the idea of people given special talents and that they have their calling, will let one flourish in what one is good at and likes.
To Yuto,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the existence of different principles and not being aware of one’s strong commitment to them can have great influence upon intercultural communication. For example, even though the Japanese believe they have come up with a decision( with contradictions in it), the Westerners may consider it as a non-concluded matter and they will ask “So…?,” since they have the notion of non-contradiction in their minds. If the Westerners are unaware of their notions (which Nisbett says they are), as you have mentioned, problems will become more complicated and it will make cross- cultural communication a harder one. In the ELP reader, Barna also talks a little about how people, especially those from the United States have a strong “assumption of similarities.” Although I am not really sure if the Americans have it stronger than others, I guess everyone at some extent has notions and principles that they hold unconsciously and we should have that in mind to make intercultural communication a smoother one.
3.I think the Asian way of thinking is better. This question reminds me of a saying that said people can become successful without hard work, but people who are successful worked hard. In my experience, I am not good at memorizing facts, especially historical stuff. I always got bad grades during high school. However, when I tried harder and harder memorizing, my grades started to go up. It made me realize that hard work is worth making. Also, I think that nobody is just born with their talent. Maybe some people are better at something than others. But that doesn't mean that the fact that somebody is better than you isn't going to change. If you try really hard to succeed, I think anybody can do anything.
ReplyDelete1.) I partially agree with this. I say partially because I can think of only one example, and I know that one is not enough to explain the whole.
ReplyDeleteThe example I have is about essay construction. In Japanese writing, they are not rigidly ordered compared to the English version. I have never read paragraphs other than English, but when I discussed about the German to Japanese translation of Karl Jasper’s “Introduction to Philosophy” with my philosophy professor, he agreed with me of the paragraph construction differences between German and Japanese. The rigid logical way of writing philosophy in German was hard to translate in Japanese language, in Japanese way of writing, which is not that logical like in German way, but was easier to translate in English.
Therefore, I agree with Nisbett that the Easterners are likely to have a “lack of interest in logic”, and on the other hand, Westerners are overly concerned in logic.
2. I think Westerners’ unawareness to the commitment to their logical principles have a great effect on the intercultural communication between Westerners and Easterners. With the “law of noncontradiction”, Westerners judge a proposition as either true or false. It cannot be both true and false, because that would go against their logical principles. This can cause problems in intercultural communication with Easterners, since Easterners are willing to accept contradictions and they try to find compromise solutions, considering both sides of the situation. How Westerners try to judge propositions as true or false may seem too extreme to Easterners, and how Easterners try to find the Middle Way may seem too lenient or indulgent to Westerners. Westerners’ unawareness can push this and make intercultural communication more difficult.
ReplyDelete(3)
ReplyDeleteI believe in the Asian way that anyone can be skilled at something if they are under the "right circumstances" and put enough effort. However, I must admit that in some cases, this does not work. For example, someone who loves playing football and wants to become a professional football player may not be able to achieve his goal. Even if that person tries really hard, 'talent' is sometimes needed for sports.
For what we study, I think anyone can be 'good at it' as long as we put enough effort to it. I think being in the 'right circumstances' is also very important. Environmet can develop skills and it may be helpful to find our 'talents'.
As Emma said, I think everyone has a talent. However, we cannot notice them when we are in the 'wrong' environment. Lucky people can notice their talents but others just live without knowing them.
I think putting ourselves in various environment will help us to find what we are good at.
3) I tend to believe in the Asian way that anyone can learn to do something if one is under the "right circumstances" and puts enough effort. When I was in high school, I was not very good at math, and I really didn't like it. But strangely I was really good at "progression." At that time, I had no idea why I was good at only progression, but as I was trying to come up with the good example for this question, it occurred to me that I was good at progression because I studied a lot. Actually this has much to do with what Uka said. I believe people can get good at something or learn to do something if they like it. In that progression example, I simply liked progression somehow and studied it because I liked it. And this made me good at it. Therefore I do not think that skills are what you have or don't or it is a quality that is fixed.
ReplyDelete3)
ReplyDeleteI honestly think both ways can be considered as right. As regards American way,no matter where people are, ways of their life never change. If one has own stem inside, a place does not matter to him/she. The one would do well under any circumstance. In Asian way, a circumstance is very important and considered as influential over people. There is the proverb that "home is where you make it." It seems to be inspired by Asian way of thought. And I think it is true based on my experience of moving. My living places have drifted one place to another, and I got influenced by each place.
3) I’m really sorry for the late comment.
ReplyDeleteI believe in Asian way that anyone can learn to do math if one is put into right circumstance and put enough effort in it. This is because, I believe, everyone is fundamentally equal in the start line. The ability within each one of them is actually what is different and hence constructs the ranks. This is often called as talent. Effort, at the same time, can bring up a person to achieve professional level. However, in order to transcend such level, meaning to become the number one in that profession, talent is inevitable.
For example, I have been engaging myself in playing soccer for 12 years, but not yet come to such beyond professional level. When I was in the United States, I was playing in the varsity team as a freshman. I was pretty confident with myself, because I strongly believed I had achieved such position by hard practice I had been putting myself in. I even thought I was one of the best players in all freshmen. Despite such rigorousness, however, as I played against better and better team, such vanity was fallen into piece. There were many freshmen who were also playing in varsity team, and actually way better than me. In addition, the biggest shock I had experienced was the fact that D.C. United, the professional soccer team in MLS, had scouted Freddy Adu. Freddy Adu was only 14, same age as me at that time, when he became professional soccer player, and I was both deeply astonished and impressed that I thought there was no way of catching him up in any way.
Thus, even effort is vital when professionalizing something; talent is what really is needed when considering being the top player. In other words, the chance to learn something is equally distributed to everyone as in Asian way, but to transcending it is in another dimension which American way of such is taking place.