David777
Well-known Member
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One facet of conversation, discussion, debate, and writing on public forums, that separates more intelligent conversation from less so is in avoiding absolutes by instead developing a habit of using relative terms. People tend to use absolute terms when emotional or if they have agendas to convince others. However such is usually a sign of less objectiveness. Two example statements when using absolutes is correct are:
Starting Thought: Absolutely Avoiding Absolutes
snippets:
Why Not to Use Absolutes
Seemingly simple language can generalize the topic in a way that makes the speaker appear uninformed, unprepared or naïve. Worst case, it can potentially offend the listener. Simply put, avoid absolute words because they can:
To be persuasive and influential, your communications should reflect a reality that’s accurate; situations are rarely black and white. Here are words to avoid and the substitutes to consider instead of:
In ordinary conversation, the terms "belief" and "believe" can be used in complex ways including both absolute and relative ways that may be ambiguous. It is also used in terms of religious attitudes that is another ambiguous facet. Accordingly I tend avoid doing so.
Belief - Wikipedia
A belief (believe) is a subjective attitude that something is true or a state of affairs is the case. It can be an intellectual judgment or a feeling. Beliefs can be distinguished by their degree of certainty, such as a surmise, opinion, or conviction. An absolute belief is not probable, hypothetical, or something that may or may not be true. It determines the character of what occurs, not the other way around. Some other terms to possibly use instead:
accept, admit, believe, conclude, consider, have, hold, regard, suppose, think, trust, understand, hypothesize, deem, posit, postulate, presuppose, swallow
- Abstractly, mathematically, 2 plus 2 equals 4.
- The sun rises in the East.
Starting Thought: Absolutely Avoiding Absolutes
snippets:
Why Not to Use Absolutes
Seemingly simple language can generalize the topic in a way that makes the speaker appear uninformed, unprepared or naïve. Worst case, it can potentially offend the listener. Simply put, avoid absolute words because they can:
- Divert the listener’s focus from the topic at hand to finding the exceptions, often weakening important and well-informed points
- Make an otherwise valid claim that can be interpreted as “no exceptions”
- Raise doubts about the credibility of the speaker and their understanding of the topic
To be persuasive and influential, your communications should reflect a reality that’s accurate; situations are rarely black and white. Here are words to avoid and the substitutes to consider instead of:
- Never: Uncommonly, Rarely, Infrequently, Under Few Conditions, In Rare Circumstances
- None: Few, Little, Rare, A Small Number, Hardly Any
- No: Not Really, Not Entirely, Not in the Slightest, By No Means
- Everyone/Everybody: Most, A Good Amount, Many People, General Population, The Majority, All Inclusive, Multiple Segments,
- Nobody/No one: Very Few, A Small Number
- Always: Usually, Frequently, Consistently, With Few Exceptions, Routinely
In ordinary conversation, the terms "belief" and "believe" can be used in complex ways including both absolute and relative ways that may be ambiguous. It is also used in terms of religious attitudes that is another ambiguous facet. Accordingly I tend avoid doing so.
Belief - Wikipedia
A belief (believe) is a subjective attitude that something is true or a state of affairs is the case. It can be an intellectual judgment or a feeling. Beliefs can be distinguished by their degree of certainty, such as a surmise, opinion, or conviction. An absolute belief is not probable, hypothetical, or something that may or may not be true. It determines the character of what occurs, not the other way around. Some other terms to possibly use instead:
accept, admit, believe, conclude, consider, have, hold, regard, suppose, think, trust, understand, hypothesize, deem, posit, postulate, presuppose, swallow
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