The document discusses the misuse and overuse of abstract nouns, using the words "concept" and "value" as examples. It provides instances where "concept" is used incorrectly when a more precise word like "idea" or "realization" would be better. The author argues that overusing vague words like "concept" weakens precise thought and communication.
The document discusses the misuse and overuse of abstract nouns, using the words "concept" and "value" as examples. It provides instances where "concept" is used incorrectly when a more precise word like "idea" or "realization" would be better. The author argues that overusing vague words like "concept" weakens precise thought and communication.
The document discusses the misuse and overuse of abstract nouns, using the words "concept" and "value" as examples. It provides instances where "concept" is used incorrectly when a more precise word like "idea" or "realization" would be better. The author argues that overusing vague words like "concept" weakens precise thought and communication.
The document discusses the misuse and overuse of abstract nouns, using the words "concept" and "value" as examples. It provides instances where "concept" is used incorrectly when a more precise word like "idea" or "realization" would be better. The author argues that overusing vague words like "concept" weakens precise thought and communication.
The first signs that Cardinal Hume was ill appeared when he began feeling nauseous at mealtimes a few weeks ago. Thus The Times tells us that the Cardinal felt loathsome. He did not. He felt nauseated. He was affected by nausea.
Use of Fashionable Abstractions
concept, value There are some abstract nouns found once in rigorous philosophical usage that are now so inappropriately exploited that they have become almost unusable. The w ord concept has the same root as conceit and means an idea or notion, something that the m ind has conceived. Yet just as the w ord idea has been weakened in conversational usage ( the very idea!), so now the w ord concept has lost its anchorage in the realm of thought. Here is a statement about a new block of open-plan offices w ith cafe and shops: This concept of management on the move has been made possible by the design of Waterside. N ow the concept of the change, that is the idea for the change, existed before anything was done about it. The concept w ould have been exactly w hat it was, had nothing been done about it. It was the realization o f the concept that was made possible by the design o f the building: The concept of m anagement on the move has been realized in the design o f Waterside. The w ord having been thus weakened, it becomes a way o f muffling exact thought. Thus we get someone explaining the pains o f having to sack employees. To tell them theyre now on the scrap heap - 1 found that as a concept very difficult. Again w hat the speaker meant was surely that the realization o f the concept w ould be difficult. Merely to think about sacking people hurts no one. To correct the sentence, simply om it as a concept. W hat has happened to the w ord now is that it has achieved a life o f its ow n as a kind o f adjective. The AA tells us that special concept cars of the 2 1st century will be an attraction at a show. And The Times captions an illustration Concept cars on show at the NEC, Birm ingham. So
