SUMMARYKenneth Burke is known for many different theories and concepts that revolve around symbols and symbolic action. Logology is one of his most central concepts, and from his logological prospective, Burke built up his “notions of the negative, hierarchy, [and] perfection” (Foss, Foss and Trapp 203). While Kenneth Burke may have transcribed and discussed these topics in the mid-1900s, specifically in the 1960s when he wrote Language as Symbolic Action, these concepts are still relevant today.
American culture now is very symbol and image centric. Much of what influences us—whether it’s in advertisements, on television, in magazines or other visual materials—are representations of what much of our culture values and strives to attain or model. Analyzing our image and symbol centric media through a Burke lens demonstrates the relevance and accuracy of many of his concepts in today’s culture. Read the sections below to learn more about Burke's concepts—specifically the negative, hierarchies, and perfection—and follow the links to see the relevance of his concepts in visual media today. |
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the NEGATIVE
What does Burke mean by "the negative"?
Kenneth Burke believed no natural negatives exist in the world. He argued that something is simply as it is and is not something else. Burke used a tree to illustrate his ideas. He explained that a tree is simply a tree and "in no way can it be not a tree" (Foss, Foss and Trapp 203). We understand that anything can be a symbol of something else—a tree can be symbol of life or regrowth—but the point Burke was trying to make is that when you look at a tree, you can't say that 'it isn't a tree'. In this way, Burke shows that there aren't natural negatives in the world.
Since there are no natural negatives, Burke theorized that they are the result and product of language. The invention of the negative allowed for the "establishment of commands or admonitions that govern the actions of individuals" (Foss, Foss and Trapp 203). Our ability to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong is therefore a consequence of the negative. Without it, morality wouldn't be possible nor would any leader be able to fully control and aid its citizens with social rules, rights, and laws. It “might be more accurate to say that language and the negative invented man” (Clarke 3).
The negative is certainly prevalent in our society today, especially with so many moral and human rights debates that have and will continue to develop. Click here to learn more about Burke's negative and see its relevance in American culture today.
Since there are no natural negatives, Burke theorized that they are the result and product of language. The invention of the negative allowed for the "establishment of commands or admonitions that govern the actions of individuals" (Foss, Foss and Trapp 203). Our ability to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong is therefore a consequence of the negative. Without it, morality wouldn't be possible nor would any leader be able to fully control and aid its citizens with social rules, rights, and laws. It “might be more accurate to say that language and the negative invented man” (Clarke 3).
The negative is certainly prevalent in our society today, especially with so many moral and human rights debates that have and will continue to develop. Click here to learn more about Burke's negative and see its relevance in American culture today.
the HIERARCHY
What are hierarchies and why are they significant for Burke?
Hierarchies are statuses of power, wealth, privilege, or a ranking of those in charge. According to Kenneth Burke, the "concept of the negative inherent in language leads to the establishment of hierarchies constructed on the basis of numerous negatives and commandments" (Foss, Foss and Trapp 203). Humans are certainly drawn to status and order, and the ability to differentiate between right and wrong and see negatives in nature when there aren't really any there has aided in the development of such bureaucracies and ladders of rank.
Hierarchies have always and will certainly continue to impact our every day lives. Today, there are many types of hierarchies. There are different rankings of government, particularly in a democracy where levels of representatives have differentiating powers and responsibilities; there are social hierarchies of class, gender, age, and race; and many other forms of ranking exist as well, such as religious hierarchies and hierarchies in the workplace.
Hierarchies are obviously still relevant in our society today but so are other concepts Burke pointed out when discussing our human tendency to lean towards status and order. Burke believed that there is a human impulse and effort to "keep up with the Joneses" (Foss, Foss and trapp 204). In other words, he believed that we tend to strive towards the accomplishments of those of our own rungs or of statuses higher than ours. Burke also believed that "[t]hose on the lowest rungs of a hierarchy fear slipping to even lower rungs, and those at the top fear they will be surpassed" (Foss, Foss and Trapp 204).
Follow this link to examine the relevance of Hierarchies in American culture today.
Hierarchies have always and will certainly continue to impact our every day lives. Today, there are many types of hierarchies. There are different rankings of government, particularly in a democracy where levels of representatives have differentiating powers and responsibilities; there are social hierarchies of class, gender, age, and race; and many other forms of ranking exist as well, such as religious hierarchies and hierarchies in the workplace.
Hierarchies are obviously still relevant in our society today but so are other concepts Burke pointed out when discussing our human tendency to lean towards status and order. Burke believed that there is a human impulse and effort to "keep up with the Joneses" (Foss, Foss and trapp 204). In other words, he believed that we tend to strive towards the accomplishments of those of our own rungs or of statuses higher than ours. Burke also believed that "[t]hose on the lowest rungs of a hierarchy fear slipping to even lower rungs, and those at the top fear they will be surpassed" (Foss, Foss and Trapp 204).
Follow this link to examine the relevance of Hierarchies in American culture today.
Man is the symbol-using (symbol-making, symbol-misusing) animal, inventor of the negative (or moralized by the negative), separated from his natural condition by instruments of his own making, goaded by the spirit of hierarchy (or moved by the sense of order), and rotten with perfection. - Kenneth Burke |
PERFECTION
What is perfection?
According to Kenneth Burke, the idea of perfection is a drive set in motion as a result of the hierarchy. Hierarchies, particularly the ideal at the top of the ladder, make us desire such perfection. It's something many of us, if not all of us, strive for, whether or not we are aware of this impulse. Our quests for perfection may be a simple goal, like striving to get perfect grades, or perhaps something more intense and less attainable, such as having the perfect body or being as popular and as great of a writer as William Shakespeare or J.K. Rowling or whoever it is that you idolize. A lot of our time is consumed with trying to perfect a certain skill or at least become as great as we possibly can at whatever it is we do. Burke claimed that "[h]uman beings are always 'rotten with perfection'" and are thus constantly striving to perfect something (Foss, Foss and Trapp 205).
Perfection and the pursuit of it isn't necessarily bad nor is it always good. Someone trying to perfect a skill they have, whether it's sport related or affiliated with their career, can use the goal of perfection as a positive entity. Perfection, though, can also have a dark side, which is something Burke was interested in. He recognized that striving for perfection can lead to horrible events such as the Holocaust and can lead "to the development of technology that allows death and destruction to be accomplished easily and efficiently" (Foss, Foss and Trapp 205).
Striving for perfection can enhance one's skills or it can allow someone satanic to be elected as ruler, such as Adolf Hitler (or even Donald Trump if you believe he's evil). Click here to read more about perfection and see its relevance in American culture today.
Perfection and the pursuit of it isn't necessarily bad nor is it always good. Someone trying to perfect a skill they have, whether it's sport related or affiliated with their career, can use the goal of perfection as a positive entity. Perfection, though, can also have a dark side, which is something Burke was interested in. He recognized that striving for perfection can lead to horrible events such as the Holocaust and can lead "to the development of technology that allows death and destruction to be accomplished easily and efficiently" (Foss, Foss and Trapp 205).
Striving for perfection can enhance one's skills or it can allow someone satanic to be elected as ruler, such as Adolf Hitler (or even Donald Trump if you believe he's evil). Click here to read more about perfection and see its relevance in American culture today.