Ben_Jones comments on 37 Ways That Words Can Be Wrong - All

72 Post author: Eliezer_Yudkowsky 06 March 2008 05:09AM

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Comment author: Ben_Jones 06 March 2008 03:00:23PM 3 points [-]

Caledonian - I don't think anyone's suggesting that a word can be 'wrong' in and of itself. Of course it comes down to usage; usage is what gives words their power (for good or bad). The idea is that words can be defined or used in such a way that they do not help us describe reality, hence a 'wrong word'. I'm sure you're aware of this.

Of course you can define a word any way you like, no-one's going to stop you doing so. However, some consideration is required if you wish to communicate (and, often, think) effectively. I'm sure you agree with this as well, so:

Demonstrate, without using any of the loaded terms involved, how and where you disagree with the original post.