:: Miscellaneous ::
A site for covering things I have no intention whatsoever of rehashing at Rerum Novarum| :: Rerum Novarum [>>>] | [:::....Any correspondence will be presumed eligible for blogging unless the sender otherwise specifies (cf. Welborn Protocol. (Though name and email information will not be posted without explicit request to do so by the sender.) All copyrights for the material at the Miscellaneous weblog are identical to those as listed at Rerum Novarum. |
|---|
:: Saturday, August 30, 2003 ::
On the Use of Labels:
Some have inquired as to my bringing up at times the fact that I transcend being easily "categorized." Indeed, by my own admission I am rather resolute about being put in a box of any kind. The reason of course should be self-evident: that he who controls the vernacular controls the parameters of the debate. Instead, I prefer to control the vernacular myself. And if I cannot control the vernacular myself, at the very least I will not let others do so either.
For when we get down to brass tacks, all forms of engineering - be it social, philosophical, theological, political, medical, scientific, legal, or otherwise is preceded by verbal engineering. This is why I refuse to cede to the extremists of any stripe their own choice of terminology. Instead, I refer to them as they are. In the case of the "progressives" and "traditionalists" (to give two examples of many which could be mentioned) the proper terms are as follows:
"self-styled 'progressives'"
"so-called 'progressives'"
"pseudo 'progressives'"
"self-styled 'traditionalists'"
"so-called 'traditionalists'"
"pseudo 'traditionalists'"
For when we let counterfeit philosophies or outlooks coin their own noble terminology, we provide them with a shibboleth of their own to mindlessly parrot and/or cloak themselves in to with greater ease confute the unwary. Control the language and eventually they will control the terms of the battle. And to see what genuine Progressivism is - along with genuine Traditionalism and genuine Conservatism - see the dissertation on the subject previously posted to this weblog. (Or for ease of location simply click HERE.)
:: Shawn 5:26 PM [+] ::
************************************
