Thought For The Day

[kerravonsen]

Giving something a name doesn't mean that you understand it.

It means that you can point at it.

Comments

[izhilzha.livejournal.com]

Which is sometimes what you need in order to begin understanding it.

(Probably not thinking of what you are thinking of--I find naming things in my own psyche or history exceedingly useful.)

[kerravonsen]

Which is sometimes what you need in order to begin understanding it.

Of course!
The operative word is "begin". Too many people stop at the naming.

Probably not thinking of what you are thinking of--I find naming things in my own psyche or history exceedingly useful.

We may be thinking of something similar, since this thought was prompted by someone saying that that they didn't like labelling things because that meant that one was being judgemental. It so happens that the label she was objecting to was one which she was also applying to her own psyche.

There are two unhealthy extremes with labelling things: one is to think that giving something a name means that you understand it; this can be anything from a doctor giving something a name but still be unable to cure it, through to labels being used as epithets. The other extreme is to be so afraid of the abuse of labels, one is afraid of using them at all (as happened with the person above).

The fact that names enable you to point to things is not a small thing at all. Not just with analysis (even self-analysis) but with discourse, including the discourse of social justice. When a type of oppression remains nameless, it can't be protested against, and if it can't be protested against, it can't be fought against. One of the instruments of oppression is silencing the oppressed. And the first weapon of freedom is words.

Yeah, there's a lot of thinky thoughts packed into my original remarks about names.

[izhilzha.livejournal.com]

I hoped my comment would inspire some unpacking--we are very much on the same page, then. I agree entirely.

And the first weapon of freedom is words.

Yes! Both social-justice freedom, and personal freedom (which often go hand in hand).

[dreamflower]

And the first weapon of freedom is words.

As well as of those who oppose freedom. Naming/labeling/pointing to elements that oppose the status quo is also a way to restrict freedom, by making the freedom seekers "other".

One person's truth is another person's propaganda.

The difficult thing is learning the difference between REAL truth (absolute truth, which I firmly believe exists) and convenient "truth".

[jaxomsride.livejournal.com]

Names have power is an old belief and it is still true today. It's not about "magical power" but the way the name shapes thoughts. Which is why I hate labels. Yes it can be convenient but it also opens the way towards discrimination. How the names are used is just as important as the naming.


Mind you even naming something can be unhelpful. I have vertigo, but the doctors once they had diagnosed me with that were not particularly interested in establishing the cause. As they said the cause is "rarely found" which isn't all that surprising as they don't investigate!