instruere...inlustrare...delectare Disputations

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Resolving terminology

WHEREAS the term "pro-life" was coined in 1973 by anti-abortion advocates to present their position in a positive light; and

whereas attempts to insist that the term always bear a broader meaning are therefore unfounded acts of spurious etymology; and

whereas my own proposal for broadening the meaning went exactly nowhere; and

whereas criticism of persons and organizations who identify themselves as "pro-life" that are based on arguments that they do not advocate every position that might be implied if the term had a broader meaning is therefore ill-founded; and

whereas such criticism is very often ad hominem political posturing;

Therefore I am resolved to let people say "pro-life" if they mean "anti-abortion," while at the same time reserving the right to ask, "Yes, but Great, and are they pro-Fifth Commandment?"

UPDATE: Reserved question reworded to be less obnoxious confrontational.

| 6 comments |


Home