TIP OF THE DAY 63: Commands distinctive features; questions to ask

MJ. Smith

link to next post https://community.logos.com/forums/p/227107/1327161.aspx#1327161

Since the forum change has been delayed, I've started adding these posts to the previous tip list. See L/V 10 Tip of the Day Note that this list has been moved to the wiki (which itself is moved to the new forum software). 

QUESTION: Create a distinctive features chart for the verbs identifying classes of commands.

ANSWER: From ChatGPT:

• Here is a distinctive features chart for the specified words. Each feature is labeled with a "+" for presence, a "−" for absence, or "N/A" if the feature is not applicable. The features used here are designed to distinguish between the speech acts these words represent.

Word	Directive	Expressive	Commissive	Informative	Evaluative	Interpersonal Focus	Authority Required
Advice	+	−	−	+	+	+	N/A
Command	+	−	+	−	−	+	+
Curse	−	+	−	−	+	+	N/A
Invitation	+	−	+	−	−	+	N/A
Offer	+	−	+	−	−	+	N/A
Permission	+	−	−	+	−	+	+
Prohibition	+	−	−	−	+	+	+
Request	+	−	−	−	−	+	N/A
Warning	+	−	−	+	+	+	N/A
Well-wish	−	+	−	−	+	+	N/A
Wish	−	+	−	−	−	−	N/A

 

Feature Definitions:

1. Directive: The speech act aims to get the listener to do something (e.g., advice, command).

2. Expressive: The act expresses the speaker's feelings or attitudes (e.g., curse, well-wish).

3. Commissive: The act commits the speaker to a future action (e.g., command, invitation).

4. Informative: The act conveys information (e.g., advice, warning).

5. Evaluative: The act includes a judgment or assessment (e.g., advice, curse).

6. Interpersonal Focus: The act is primarily concerned with social interaction (e.g., request, offer).

7. Authority Required: The act presupposes the speaker has a certain authority (e.g., command, permission).

Since Mt 5:48 is a Command, this allows us to also say:

• It is directive: The speech act aims to get the listener to do something (e.g., advice, command). We already knew this from Obligative: Directive (Speech Acts).
• It is informative: The act conveys information (e.g., advice, warning). We already knew this from  Informative: Assertive (Speech Acts).  
• It is evaluative: The act includes a judgment or assessment (e.g., advice, curse).
• It has an interpersonal focus: The act is primarily concerned with social interaction (e.g., request, offer).
• It has authority required: The act presupposes the speaker has a certain authority (e.g., command, permission).

 

QUESTION: What is a distinctive features chart and how do I use one?

ANSWER: From Perplexity

A distinctive features chart, in a broader sense, is a visual tool used to compare and contrast items or concepts based on their unique characteristics. It's a method of classification and analysis that can be applied to various fields and subjects.

Purpose of Distinctive Features Charts

1. To organize information about related items or concepts
2. To highlight similarities and differences between items
3. To aid in classification and identification
4. To facilitate decision-making and analysis

Structure of a Distinctive Features Chart

• Items or concepts being compared are typically listed along the top row
• Distinctive features or characteristics are listed in the leftmost column
• The body of the chart is filled with indicators (often + or - symbols, or checkmarks) showing whether each item possesses each feature

How to Use a Distinctive Features Chart

1. Identify the items to compare: Choose a set of related items or concepts you want to analyze.
2. Determine distinctive features: List the characteristics that are relevant for comparison. These should be features that vary among the items.
3. Create the chart: Draw a table with items across the top and features down the left side.
4. Fill in the chart: For each item, indicate whether it possesses each feature. Use consistent symbols (e.g., + for yes, - for no).
5. Analyze the results: Look for patterns, similarities, and differences among the items.

Example Application

Let's create a simple distinctive features chart for types of pets:

Feature	Dog	Cat	Fish	Parrot
Has fur	+	+	-	-
Can fly	-	-	-	+
Lives in water	-	-	+	-
Makes noise	+	+	-	+
Needs walks	+	-	-	-

 

Benefits of Using Distinctive Features Charts

1. Visual clarity: Provides a clear, at-a-glance view of comparisons
2. Systematic analysis: Ensures all items are evaluated on the same criteria
3. Pattern recognition: Helps identify trends or groupings
4. Decision support: Aids in choosing between options based on desired features

Distinctive features charts can be used in various fields where systematic comparison is valuable.

 

QUESTION: Is there a single, correct distinctive feature chart for a set of words?

SOFTWARE: There are rules that govern the form and content of the distinctive feature charts but there are multiple  charts that meet those requirements. I simply ask ChatGPT to create a distinctive feature chart for a list of words. I can direct it towards generic answers when it provides a too technical answer or guide it towards a vocabulary that I am familiar with by mentioning a subject or theory. It also does well if asked to provide an answer geared towards a high school graduate.

ANSWER: two options from Chat GPT:

Option 1: Performative language

To create a distinctive features chart for commands, promises, questions, prayers, benedictions, oaths, and vows, we can analyze their primary characteristics in terms of intent, audience, performative function, and moral or social obligations:

Speech Act	Intent	Audience	Binding Nature	Performative Function	Sacred/Legal Dimension
Command	To direct action	Specific individual or group	Non-reciprocal	Directive	Authority-based
Promise	To commit to future action	Individual or group	Binding on the speaker	Commissive	Moral/social trust
Question	To seek information	Individual or group	Non-binding	Interrogative	None
Prayer	To communicate with the divine	Divine being	Non-binding, but faith-based	Expressive	Religious act
Benediction	To invoke blessing	Individual or group	Non-binding	Expressive	Religious or ceremonial
Oath	To affirm truth or commitment	Community/divine/legal authority	Binding, with consequences	Commissive/Declarative	Sacred/legal accountability
Vow	To solemnly promise	Divine or sacred context	Binding	Commissive	Religious or spiritual

 

Key Insights:

1. Commands and questions are typically not binding on the speaker but differ in purpose: one directs and the other seeks information.
2. Promises, oaths, and vows share a binding nature but differ in scope: promises emphasize interpersonal trust, oaths include accountability to a higher power or community, and vows often involve religious or sacred commitments.
3. Prayers and benedictions are expressive acts directed toward the divine or others, often in religious or ceremonial contexts, without binding obligations.

These distinctions align with philosophical and theological interpretations of these acts as performative language, where meaning is conveyed through both intent and context. Sources like J.L. Austin's "How to Do Things with Words" and scriptural exegeses provide additional theoretical frameworks for such classifications

Option 2: Speech act oriented

Here is a distinctive features chart for the specified words. Each feature is labeled with a "+" for presence, a "−" for absence, or "N/A" if the feature is not applicable. The features are tailored to distinguish between these speech acts.

Word	Directive	Commissive	Expressive	Declarative	Informative	Interpersonal Focus	Authority Required	Sacred/Performative
Commands	+	−	−	+	−	+	+	−
Promises	−	+	−	−	−	+	N/A	−
Questions	+	−	−	−	+	+	N/A	−
Prayers	−	−	+	−	−	+	N/A	+
Benedictions	−	−	+	+	−	+	+	+
Oaths	−	+	−	+	−	+	+	+
Vows	−	+	−	+	−	+	N/A	+

 

Feature Definitions:

1. Directive: The act aims to elicit action or response from the listener (e.g., commands, questions).
2. Commissive: The act commits the speaker to a future course of action (e.g., promises, vows).
3. Expressive: The act conveys emotions, desires, or attitudes (e.g., prayers, benedictions).
4. Declarative: The act enacts a change in social or spiritual reality by being performed (e.g., commands, benedictions).
5. Informative: The act primarily conveys information or seeks information (e.g., questions).
6. Interpersonal Focus: The act is directed at or involves interaction with others (e.g., commands, prayers).
7. Authority Required: The act presupposes the speaker has a certain status or authority (e.g., commands, benedictions).
8. Sacred/Performative: The act has a ritual, sacred, or formalized performative dimension (e.g., prayers, oaths).

 

QUESTION: How does this integrate into my Bible study?

SOFTWARE: The software provides us with the Logos/Verbum analysis of the text. It does not tell us why that is their analysis nor does it assure that the analysis is correct nor does it provide the nuances of applying the analysis.

ANSWER: A major purpose of lay Bible study scheme is to help raise questions beyond the 5^th grade comprehension questions but within the knowledge of the average lay person. Questions that one could easily raise from Mt 5:48:

• The sentence isn’t an imperative. Why treat it as a command?
• The command is evaluative. What is the comparison against? What do we know about God’s perfection that allows us to make a comparison?
• Why does Logos label the direct speech as directed towards the crowd at the sermon on the mount but address the command to the disciples?
• What authority would the crowd at the sermon on the mount attribute to Jesus, remembering that this is early in His career as a preacher/healer?

Notice that these questions may have a specific answer or may be open questions leading to discussion depending upon how they are presented.