Ideology,
An ideology is an organized collection of ideas. The word ideology was coined by Count Antoine Destutt de Tracy in the late 18th century to define a "science of ideas." An ideology can be thought of as a comprehensive vision, as a way of looking at things (compare Weltanschauung), as in common sense (see Ideology in everyday society) and several philosophical tendencies (see Political ideologies), or a set of ideas proposed by the dominant class of a society to all members of this society. The main purpose behind an ideology is to offer change in society through a normative thought process. Ideologies are systems of abstract thought (as opposed to mere ideation) applied to public matters and thus make this concept central to politics. Implicitly every political tendency entails an ideology whether or not it is propounded as an explicit system of thought.
Icons,
An icon (from Greek εἰκών, eikon, "image") is an image, picture, or representation; it is a sign or likeness that stands for an object by signifying or representing it, or by analogy, as in semiotics; by extension, icon is also used, particularly in modern popular culture, in the general sense of symbol — i.e. a name, face, picture, edifice or even a person readily recognized as having some well-known significance or embodying certain qualities. one thing, and image or depiction, that represents something else of greater significance thru literal or figurative meaning, usually associated with religious, cultural, political, and economic standing.
Semiotics,
the study of signs and symbols, both individually and grouped into sign systems. It includes the study of how meaning is constructed and understood.
Representation,
It is generally agreed that people know and understand the world and reality through the act of naming it; thus, through language and representations (Oxford English Dictionary, cited in Vukcevich 2002). The term representation embodies a range of meanings and interpretations. In the context of literary theory the term is commonly defined in three ways:
- to look like or to resemble something
- to stand in for something or someone
- to present a second time-to re-present (O’Shaughnessy & Stadler 2002).
Representation began with early literary theory in the ideas of Plato and Aristotle and has evolved into a significant component of language and communication studies in the contemporary world.
The first definition is closely related to the media, suggesting that representation functions through reproductions, or by possessing the likeness of an object. Representations, according to this definition, can be reproduced an incalculable number of times. Paintings for example, have been reproduced in this way. The majority of Western Society will have, at some point in their lives, come across an image of Da Vinci’s famous painting, the Mona Lisa. However, very few of those people will have witnessed the painting in reality. It is as a result of their reproductive ability that representations, such as reproductions of the Mona Lisa, become accessible to the masses and work to stand between ‘the real’ and the audience or spectator (Vukcevich 2002). Television soap operas such as Home and Away are another classic example in which the characters and their lives are intended to resemble real life; time reflects that of reality, the plots are located in the familiar and realistic settings of the home, school, work place, diner, gym and beach, with much of the focus revolving around issues evident within society today including divorce, love, happiness, relationships, marriage, children and the work-place.
The second definition refers to representation as using one thing to stand for another. It has been adopted by new historicists who use the meaning in regards to the symbolic construction of a particular society at a particular period in time (Murfin & Ray 1997). For instance, the reproductions or copies of the Mona Lisa stand in for or represent the original. It is important to recognise, that the ability of representation to do this may often be problematic, raising issues of authenticity and value.
This definition can also take on a political stance. The focus can shift towards political representation in which one person or group ‘stands in for’ someone or something, in this case, the larger societal group (Concise Routledge 1999). Such a form of representation is pivotal in the functioning of democratic societies (Vukcevich 2002). Thus, ‘representative government’ is central in political theory and ideas about legislative authority, control and the interaction between individual citizens and the state (Mitchell).
In the context of this definition, both semiotic and political representations rely on someone or something to stand in for or act on behalf of someone or something.
The third definition implies that ‘representation’ is the ability of texts to draw upon features of the world and present them to the viewer, not simply as reflections, but more so, as constructions (O’Shaughnessy & Stadler 2002). Hence, the images do not portray reality in an unbiased way with 100% accuracy, but rather, present ‘versions of reality’ influenced by culture and peoples habitual thoughts and actions (O’Shaughnessy & Stadler 2002). Representations are, as a result, influenced by culture and in much the same way, have the capacity to shape culture and mould society’s attitudes, values, perceptions and behaviours (Moon 2001)Subjective/Objective,
| subjective | ||||
| A | adjective | |||
| 1 | immanent, subjective | |||
| of a mental act performed entirely within the mind; "a cognition is an immanent act of mind" | ||||
| 2 | subjective | |||
| taking place within the mind and modified by individual bias; "a subjective judgment" | ||||
| adjective | ||||
| 1 | objective | |||
| belonging to immediate experience of actual things or events; "concrete benefits"; "a concrete example"; "there is no objective evidence of anything of the kind" | ||||
| 2 | objective, nonsubjective | |||
| undistorted by emotion or personal bias; based on observable phenomena; "an objective appraisal"; "objective evidence" | ||||
| 3 | objective | |||
| emphasizing or expressing things as perceived without distortion of personal feelings or interpretation; "objective art" | ||||
Denotative/Connotative
The denotative meaning of a word is its literal meaning – the definition you’d find in the dictionary. Take the word “mother,” for example. The dictionary would define mother as “a female parent.” OK, but the word “mother” probably creates emotions and feelings in you: it paints a picture in your mind. You may think of love and security or you may think of your own mother. The emotions and feelings that a word creates are called its connotative meaning.
Dialectics
n classical philosophy, dialectic (Greek: διαλεκτική) is controversy, Viz., the exchange of arguments and counter-arguments respectively advocating propositions (theses) and counter-propositions (antitheses). The outcome of the exercise might not simply be the refutation of one of the relevant points of view, but a synthesis or combination of the opposing assertions, or at least a qualitative transformation in the direction of the dialogue.[1][2] In the Middle Ages it was one of the three original liberal arts collectively known as the trivium (the other members are rhetoric and grammar).[3][4][5][6] In ancient and medieval times, both rhetoric and dialectic were understood to aim at being persuasive (through dialogue).[7][8][6] The aim of the dialectical method, often known as dialectic or dialectics, is to try to resolve the disagreement through rational discussion.[9][10], and ultimately, the search for truth. One way to proceed — the Socratic method — is to show that a given hypothesis (with other admissions) leads to a contradiction; thus, forcing the withdrawal of the hypothesis as a candidate for truth (see also reductio ad absurdum). Another way of trying to resolve a disagreement is by denying some presupposition of both the contending thesis and antithesis; thereby moving to a third (syn)thesis or "sublation". However, the rejection of the participant's presuppositions can be resisted, which might generate a second order controversy. [11]
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