molten mass
Posted October 25th, 2007 by Maria Granic-White
According to Burke, when we interpret motives based on acts that we perform we make judgments as to the scope of context (GM 90). Moreover, as Burke asserts, “To select a set of terms is…to select a circumference” (GM 90), which I suppose delimits the terministic screen which we utilize in order to describe “reality.” Consequently, in the terms we choose there are “circumferences” of varying scope. Industrialism however, Burke draws our attention, narrowed circumference in that it turned to monetary and financial aspects: money became a self-serving locus of motive. If we were to apply the pentad to this situation, could we identify the terministic screen in order to “see” the circumference which money created in the post-industrial era?
Pentad Application
I think this is one example where I get confused and/or worried about the usefulness of the pentad (don't kill me). How do you use the pentad when applying it to large historical events (like industrialism, captialism, communism, etc.)?
Katie, Quite a few people
Katie,
Quite a few people believe in a certain system and privilege it and thus they narrow their perspective and experience a sense of complacency. I think that a little bit of idealism is necessary but I also believe that we need to acknowledge the good and the bad that comes with ANY system. The pentad could help us see the "good," the "bad" and also others' way of perceiving the respective system. For example, some consider industrialism an important shift that allowed for progress to occur at a faster pace, while others consider industrialism a way to destroy the planet. The pentad could help us see different other ways to perceive it, or any other "reality." (Do not become upset with me, please.) Am I making sense?
Not Upset :)
I get what you're saying, in the sense that we can become aware of how one system "colors" the rest, but I have a difficult time filling out the forms--who is the agent in industrialism?
Marcia, I can't remember
Marcia,
I can't remember where or in which book (it's probably in the Grammar itself) Burke discusses political theories. In Marxism, if I remember rightly, the scene (or the context of material reality) is privileged as ultimate ground. Capitalism, on the other hand, privileges the agency of democracy as the "ground" of all political arguments. I wish I could remember where this is discussed!