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Gracious Word: Misology

4/13/2014

 
misology
Word every Gracious Individual should know: Misology

Definition: 
Misology (pronounced (mi-SOL-uh-jee); German; noun
1. Distrust or hatred of reason or reasoning. 

Why I love this word:
Misology comes from the German word Misologie, coined by the philosopher Immanuel Kant in the 1780s from the Greek word meaning “hating argument.” It entered English in the 1820s. 

Socrates discusses the dangers of misology by comparing it with misanthropy. If someone believes the best of all people, believes that they are essentially honest and good, but is deceived by someone, he may grow to hate all people. Generalizing about the inherent goodness of people can be subverted into generalizing about the inherent evil of people.

"The ultimate consequence of misology is a kind of self-destruction in which what is destroyed is that aspect of the self represented by active reason." — David A. White, Myth and Metaphysics in Plato’s Phaedo, 1989

Photograph from Tumblr


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    Gracious Words

    With the Word of the Day and the Monthly Book Club, this page is for the intellectual reader or for anyone who wants to improve their vocabulary.

    As intellectuals, having a remarkable vocabulary speaks measures. Knowing the right words sharpens communication skills and opens minds to help express ourselves better whether in our personal or professional lives. Practice these Words of the Day and join in on the conversation. 


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