Question:
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
We know it well that language is used for more than one purpose. The man who hits his thumb-nails with a hammer and utters a string of curses uses language to relieve his feeling and needs no audience but himself. But when a philosopher uses language to clarify his ideas on a subject, he uses it as an instrument of thought. When the two women gossip over the fence or two men exchange greetings as they pass in the street, language is used to strengthen the bonds between the members of society. It seems that language is a multipurpose instrument. Language enables us to influence people's behaviour and help develop human co-operation. The human co-operation would be unthinkable without language as it makes human co-operation more thorough, more effective and more wide-ranging.
(b) How is language used by a philosopher?
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
We know it well that language is used for more than one purpose. The man who hits his thumb-nails with a hammer and utters a string of curses uses language to relieve his feeling and needs no audience but himself. But when a philosopher uses language to clarify his ideas on a subject, he uses it as an instrument of thought. When the two women gossip over the fence or two men exchange greetings as they pass in the street, language is used to strengthen the bonds between the members of society. It seems that language is a multipurpose instrument. Language enables us to influence people's behaviour and help develop human co-operation. The human co-operation would be unthinkable without language as it makes human co-operation more thorough, more effective and more wide-ranging.
(b) How is language used by a philosopher?
We know it well that language is used for more than one purpose. The man who hits his thumb-nails with a hammer and utters a string of curses uses language to relieve his feeling and needs no audience but himself. But when a philosopher uses language to clarify his ideas on a subject, he uses it as an instrument of thought. When the two women gossip over the fence or two men exchange greetings as they pass in the street, language is used to strengthen the bonds between the members of society. It seems that language is a multipurpose instrument. Language enables us to influence people's behaviour and help develop human co-operation. The human co-operation would be unthinkable without language as it makes human co-operation more thorough, more effective and more wide-ranging.
(b) How is language used by a philosopher?
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When analyzing the use of language by intellectuals, focus on how it serves as a tool for communication and reasoning.
Updated On: Sep 6, 2025
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Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the context of the philosopher.
In the passage, language is described as being used by a philosopher to clarify his ideas. The philosopher uses language not as an emotional outlet, but as a tool for thinking and presenting complex ideas.
Step 2: Function of language for the philosopher.
The philosopher uses language to express thoughts clearly, organize concepts, and communicate abstract ideas in a way that can be understood by others. It becomes an instrument of thought, aiding in the process of reasoning.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, a philosopher uses language as a medium for thinking and clarifying ideas, making it an essential tool for intellectual communication.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{A philosopher uses language as an instrument of thought to clarify and communicate complex ideas.}} \]
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