Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: The Philosopher who wrote (73277)	8/25/2003 7:30:36 PM
From: TimF	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 82486

Well I think I found it. If person A called Person B term C, is it an insult if A meant it to be an insult, but B didn't take it that way and society doesn't generally consider it to be an insult? Or how about it B took it as an insult but A didn't mean it that way? Well if some comment hurts B then B is hurt, but if A didn't mean it to hurt he didn't act in an immoral way, and if society in general wouldn't consider it an insult then he might not have even acted in an impolite way. Its possible that B could take anything as an insult. If A says "wow you did a great job today", B could take it as implying that he normally does a poor job but that would just be in the mind of B. Looking up the definition shows that by different definitions it might be an insult if there was harm, or only if harm was intended. For example I don't think saying "you did great work today" is an example of treating someone "with gross insensitivity, insolence, or contemptuous rudeness.", but if it does hurt them anyway it might be said to have given "offence". Personally I would only call something an insult if it meets at least one of the following two criteria 1 - It was meant to cause harm to someone emotional state or reputation, or 2 - It is generally considered a negative and/or harmful thing and in fact it does cause at least a small amount of harm to the target's emotional state or reputation. - dictionary.reference.com in·sult ( P ) Pronunciation Key (n-slt) v. in·sult·ed, in·sult·ing, in·sults v. tr. 1. 1. To treat with gross insensitivity, insolence, or contemptuous rudeness. See Synonyms at offend. 2. To affront or demean: an absurd speech that insulted the intelligence of the audience. 2. Obsolete. To make an attack on. v. intr. Archaic 1. To behave arrogantly. 2. To give offense; offend: a speech that was intended to insult. n. (nslt) 1. An offensive action or remark. 2. 1. Medicine. A bodily injury, irritation, or trauma. 2. Something that causes bodily injury, irritation, or trauma: “the middle of the Bronx, buffeted and poisoned by the worst environmental insults that urban America can dish out” (William K. Stevens).