Swearing?

[The Seeker]

You may say words have novalue and one is as good as another but obviously, though this I supoose is an exaggeration, they do or else we wouls string them together in whatever man we saw fit. Also some words descriptive power is far greater than others, for instance I could say that your post had made me angry or I could say that your post indigdant, in this case indigdant would be by far the better word it more clearly and consicely demonstrates my feelings than simply saying I am angry. Some of you have even said that swear words are better words for describing your emotion, then go onto say one word is as good as another. Well if you are right on your first point than you have disproved your second and if you are right on your second than you have disproved your first.

Two fallacies for the price of one
Fallacy the first: Some people came to position A through argument X, some people came to position A through argument Y; some of premises of X contradict some of the premises of Y. Therefore position A is false.
Fallacy the second: Strawman. People have said that there is no intrinsic moral value in words. That's completely different to saying that all words are equally useful for expressing all concepts.

 

[Ampoliros]

But you provide no reason that we should not respect it. If we did respect the taboo then we would most likely benefit. Like Revrobor said it generally demonstrates ignorance of ones language there is almost always a better word or phrase than whatever cussword you use; furthermore, it builds one self control, because obviously it takes more of a will to not cuss then it does to cuss.

Not breathing would also build self control, too ! Lets all build our self control by not breathing. After all, self control is important .

 

[EverlastingMan]

The Seeker: Thirst for truth uses both of those arguments not one. That is what I was refering to besides which I do not believe that anyone objected to either arguments and would gladly use both.

I have said, and this is all, that if one is using swear words for descriptive purposes, and as they are adjectives that is all they are used for, if you looked through a thesarsus you could find far better ones.And actually several people have said that they are better for they are the best word avaliable.

To all of those who have provided other examples of self control:
Dont be stupid.

 

[EverlastingMan]

Electric Sceptic:
Actually I did provide a reason please read my post fully.

Why would we not benefit? You give no reason, I have given reason as to why we would.

Actually if you open a thesarsus it is quite easy to prove this

 

[The Seeker]

The Seeker: Thirst for truth uses both of those arguments not one. That is what I was refering to besides which I do not believe that anyone objected to either arguments and would gladly use both.

They don't even contradict, properly read, which was the main point I was trying to make.

I have said, and this is all, that if one is using swear words for descriptive purposes, and as they are adjectives that is all they are used for, if you looked through a thesarsus you could find far better ones.And actually several people have said that they are better for they are the best word avaliable.

Its not so much an adjective as it is an expression of shock. If I've just spilt boiling hot tea all over myself, I find it much more satisfying to let fly a few four letter words than say "Oh deary me, my poor hand eye coordination has caused me to spill this very hot beverage on myself, I do believe I have been scalded". Besides anything else, being excessively verbiose is onerous, pretentious and obnoxious.

 

[Electric Sceptic]

I have said, and this is all, that if one is using swear words for descriptive purposes, and as they are adjectives that is all they are used for, if you looked through a thesarsus you could find far better ones.And actually several people have said that they are better for they are the best word avaliable.

It is YOUR OPINION that they are better. That does not make it fact.

To all of those who have provided other examples of self control: Dont be stupid.

Brilliant response. Gets you out of actually addressing the points raised.

Electric Sceptic:
Actually I did provide a reason please read my post fully.

I did. I should have been more correct: you provided no VALID reason.

Why would we not benefit? You give no reason, I have given reason as to why we would.

Sorry, that's not how it works. YOU claim we'd benefit; it's up to you to show that. It's not up to me to show that we woudln't. You made the initial claim; support it.

Actually if you open a thesarsus it is quite easy to prove this

No, it's not. I've opened a thesaurus any number of times, and nothing in it proves any of your claims.

 

[Ampoliros]

I have said, and this is all, that if one is using swear words for descriptive purposes, and as they are adjectives that is all they are used for, if you looked through a thesarsus you could find far better ones.And actually several people have said that they are better for they are the best word avaliable.

Swearing quite adequately works for my descriptive purposes. When I say them, they truthfully represent my current thoughts about the situation. Injuring myself accidentally is quite well represented by certain 4-letter words. Works fine for me - and I've yet to come across something as simple and yet expressive in study of english. There's a wonderful episode of Penn and Teller's Bull!@#$ (yes, that's the name) dealing with this entire thing. I rather liked it.

To all of those who have provided other examples of self control:
Dont be stupid.

Hmm. Someone lecturing others on 'self control' calls his opposition stupid. Hypocracy, anyone?

 

[sparklecat]

I have said, and this is all, that if one is using swear words for descriptive purposes, and as they are adjectives that is all they are used for, if you looked through a thesarsus you could find far better ones.

Perhaps you would care to support this claim?

 

[Athene]

So is it acceptable to express frustration at ones children by using swear words as a means of self expression. Instead of saying 'you have been very bad and I'm not happy' should I perhaps say 'you have been a f&^%£"£ B£$"$ and I'm F"£$%%% P-d off with this.

 

[EverlastingMan]

Sorry I didnt post sooner finals got in the way.

They don't even contradict, properly read, which was the main point I was trying to make.


Its not so much an adjective as it is an expression of shock. If I've just spilt boiling hot tea all over myself, I find it much more satisfying to let fly a few four letter words than say "Oh deary me, my poor hand eye coordination has caused me to spill this very hot beverage on myself, I do believe I have been scalded". Besides anything else, being excessively verbiose is onerous, pretentious and obnoxious.

Well you didnt prove it. If I say, "All words are the same hence it does not matter which you use. Furthermore some words are more expressive then others and should be used in their place" I have contradicted myself.

I do not argue that we should completely refrain from swearing, undoubtedly there are places where it is exceptable, not better mind you. Though in the vast majority of situations it is not necesscary. For your example I do not suggest that you prattle on and on, that is annoying as well as what you noted, but it is just as easy to say confound it as d--n it and less offensive, for the record I dont find swearing offense.

Electric Sceptic:
"It is YOUR OPINION that they are better. That does not make it fact."
If they mean the exact same thing or if they more accurately describe the feeling then only an illiterate person would say they are not better. Besides which it is YOUR OPINION that they are not.

"Brilliant response. Gets you out of actually addressing the points raised."
I know I wonderful at that. But their examples were stupid does abstaining from swearing jepordize your life, as not breathing would? No as a matter of self will it is perfectly harmless.

" Sorry, that's not how it works. YOU claim we'd benefit; it's up to you to show that. It's not up to me to show that we woudln't. You made the initial claim; support it."
I am and it is up to you to prove that we do not benefit, in fact you are attempting to show that we do not right now. If it is not your duty to prove me wrong, and because it isnt apparently you won't, then this should not even be a debate.

" No, it's not. I've opened a thesaurus any number of times, and nothing in it proves any of your claims."
Lets look at a few shall we? D--n synonyms: confound, condemn, censure.
B---h synonyms: man/woman, obsene woman/man vulgar woman/man.

Ampoliros:
"Hmm. Someone lecturing others on 'self control' calls his opposition stupid. Hypocracy, anyone?"
Not them their posts.

I had some more reasons but I have forgot them, not conviently either.

 

[Skydancing]

Most of us let rip from time to time, especially if we are hurt. I think bumping one's nose or dropping something on a toe is likely to bring out the worst expletives!

 

[EverlastingMan]

Yes undoubtedly and it is exceptable to curse on some occasions but really when you drop a hammer on your foot there is no need to. I dont.