I think he's trying to say that some words, despite their meaning, can demean us by the nature of what they represent. You're right, that one can eloquently, and without a single four-letter word, bite people to the heart and do lots of damage, but also, sometimes the four-letter words, even in fun or as an exclamation of surprise, make us appear coarse, and can be offensive to others. When I hear a 10-year-old girl shout out words traditionally only heard in bars, it makes me ill.
Yes, the things he says here are right and virtuous and good and eloquent and elegant and sincere and heartwarming. I think he is a genuinely good and well-intentioned person. BUT, he unfortunately also holds religious, political, and ethical views which are so wrong and inaccurate and intellectually dishonest that it's very difficult for me to get past them and respect him. He used to be much more moderate and sensible, but he's gotten weird and ultra-conservative over the years. Too bad.
Prager talks about what assert is 'over-simplified.' He rightly distinguishes between that which is simple and that which is simplistic. Usually, the simple answer is the right answer. 2+2=4. That's simple, so is it wrong? Of course not. What seems so simple often has profound implications. Without simple addition, for example, there would be no architecture, technology, or economic systems for starters.
Two of my favorite Prager quotes: "We are what we do" and "Goodness is what we do, not what we feel". I wish more people paid more attention to what he/she does on a daily basis! Also, Dennis is right that the world is made better by making a positive difference in each other's lives.
I agree with what Prager said, but on the issue of theft, I think he over-simplifies a bit. Prager is right that steeling hurts the thief more than the department store, but he doesn't explain why that is. There is the immediate effect of being lowered from having done something that is sinful, but there is also an insidious long-term effect, namely the lowering of one's own personal standard for moral behaviour. Prager elevates both ethical standards and contemporary social discourse.
I think he's trying to say that some words, despite their meaning, can demean us by the nature of what they represent. You're right, that one can eloquently, and without a single four-letter word, bite people to the heart and do lots of damage, but also, sometimes the four-letter words, even in fun or as an exclamation of surprise, make us appear coarse, and can be offensive to others. When I hear a 10-year-old girl shout out words traditionally only heard in bars, it makes me ill.
corporatenewsreel 6 months ago
So how is it that certain "bad" words do more damage than the meaning of the words?
4ingP 6 months ago
death to all religion
southsydney 1 year ago
what a cunt
southsydney 1 year ago
One of my heroes.
ebeatworld 1 year ago
Yes, the things he says here are right and virtuous and good and eloquent and elegant and sincere and heartwarming. I think he is a genuinely good and well-intentioned person. BUT, he unfortunately also holds religious, political, and ethical views which are so wrong and inaccurate and intellectually dishonest that it's very difficult for me to get past them and respect him. He used to be much more moderate and sensible, but he's gotten weird and ultra-conservative over the years. Too bad.
baroqueboy 2 years ago
Dennis once told me this. Even I didn't see it at first. Now I think I see the effect it could have. The "S" happens.
NeverAloneForever 2 years ago
melserson:
Prager talks about what assert is 'over-simplified.' He rightly distinguishes between that which is simple and that which is simplistic. Usually, the simple answer is the right answer. 2+2=4. That's simple, so is it wrong? Of course not. What seems so simple often has profound implications. Without simple addition, for example, there would be no architecture, technology, or economic systems for starters.
favorite quote:' Aaaalllrighttty everybody.'
dmfxfischer 2 years ago
Two of my favorite Prager quotes: "We are what we do" and "Goodness is what we do, not what we feel". I wish more people paid more attention to what he/she does on a daily basis! Also, Dennis is right that the world is made better by making a positive difference in each other's lives.
pinkfleur1 2 years ago
I agree with what Prager said, but on the issue of theft, I think he over-simplifies a bit. Prager is right that steeling hurts the thief more than the department store, but he doesn't explain why that is. There is the immediate effect of being lowered from having done something that is sinful, but there is also an insidious long-term effect, namely the lowering of one's own personal standard for moral behaviour. Prager elevates both ethical standards and contemporary social discourse.
melserson 2 years ago