Language Archives - Page 2 of 3

Language is any system of communication. The act of communication defines language more than the specific tools used. From this perspective communicating is language, while written and spoken words are simply specific symbolic tools used in language.

The Word “Bank” Comes From the Italian Word For Bench Fact

The word bank is commonly thought to come from the Italian word for Bench “banco”, as the first banks were benches in Italian trading centers.

Frankenstein Can be Read as a Political Metaphor Fact

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818) can be read as a political metaphor where Dr. Frankenstein and his monster represent the philosophies and attitudes of the liberal revolutionaries, specifically those of the French Revolution and ensuing “Reign of Terror.”

What is the General Will?

Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s concept of the General Will roughly means “that which is in the best interest of the people” or “the public good”, and not just popular consensus.

The Origin of Politically Correct

The exact origin of the term politically correct isn’t known, although the earliest usage we could find was from 1793 Supreme Court Case Chisholm v. Georgia.

Conservatives, Moderates, Liberals, and Progressives

We explain the political terms conservative, moderate, liberal, progressive, and radical and how they are used in different contexts.

The Nature of Truth and the Different Types of Truth

We explore the nature of truth, the different types of truth, and the different types of entities who report truth to better understand the nature of information.

A List of Dualities

Here is a list of the fundamental dualities relating to human nature and the physical and conceptual universe.

Do Fines and Fees Ensure Social Justice, or Do They Harm it?

The Constitution protects our Liberty, but the law has placed limits on this. Those limits are sometimes enforced with large legal fees. To what effect this promotes social justice, and to what effect this harms social justice by creating opposition is debated.

What is Correct Behavior in One Group, Might not be in Another Fact

What is acceptable (aka politically correct) depends on your environment, intention, tone, and the group you belong to. What is acceptable in one group, might not be in another.

Tolerance Paradoxes Explained

We explain paradoxes related to tolerance and Politically Correctness (PC), including “the paradox of tolerance” and “tolerance as a form of intolerance.”