Buzzwords

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Buzzwords

Preface

The review of the Pirie text, entry by entry continues. Originally published on February 21 2016. Revised for an entry on academia.edu, December 16 2023.

THE CONCISE OXFORD DICTIONARY (1995) Della Thompson, Editor, Clarendon Press, Oxford.

The dictionary defines 'buzzword' as a slang (as of 1995, my add). It is a fashionable piece of especially technical jargon and also a catchword or slogan. (179).

Pirie

PIRIE, MADSEN (2006)(2015) How To Win Every Argument, Bloomsbury, London.

The author correctly states: 'A buzzword is not in itself a fallacy'. (55). 'It is simply a word or phrase used to impress, or one that is fashionable'. (55).

Pirie explains that the fallacy occurs when the word, words, phrase, phrases, are used to 'give more weight' (55) to what is being stated than the arguments or facts in themselves sustain and provide. (55).

Immediately, in a religious and political Western context, particular buzzwords come to mind that could be used by those in ideological and philosophical opposition to provide more weight in statements against those with whom they disagree. Such tactics are used instead of one dealing more accurately with statements and/or arguments presented by both sides.

A few such words and phrases in orange

My comments

Christian, evangelical, fundamentalist

When I was working on my PhD, first at Manchester and then at Wales, my temporary tutor at Manchester, implied that I subscribed to evangelical, fundamentalist views. But in reality, although there was some overlap in sharing a belief in core, gospel, essentials with those groups, I was actually more Reformed than evangelical and a moderate conservative, that was quite philosophical as opposed to a fundamentalist.

Right wing, fundamentalist

As with the previous example, someone significantly more to the left than you, might assume this...

Someone significantly more to the right than you, may assume not...

Far right

Far right, conservative
Left wing, secularist
Radical socialist

These types of terms are as well, terms often used by opponents to dismiss the views of those that disagree with them, because by definition, these views are considered radical, unacceptable and unreasonable; by those using these buzzwords in a fallacious manner.

Terns should be used in a factual context and manner. Pirie mentions that such buzzwords in the public arena (paraphrased) end up being considered more important because of their use as buzzwords. (55). Buzzwords need to be current to be effective. (55). In other words, they need to be fashionable in order that the reader and listener understands them in order to be persuaded. Using current buzzwords, in my humble opinion, is also important when a person wishes to make a buzzword, politically, socially, culturally, relevant. It may not be accurate though...

The author's examples of buzzwords:

'Corporate social responsibility'. (55).

That reads very familiar from my own corporate work experience...

It makes the corporation appear more caring and therefore able to sell more products. (55).

Social responsibility in my mind in also influenced by the times and may reflect morality and ethics based in trends and fashion. The Biblical worldview, however, represents eternal and everlasting morality and ethics from the infinite, eternal God  ( Examples: Exodus 20, Deuteronomy 5,  Matthew 5-7, Matthew 22, Mark 12, Luke 10). Eternal morality and ethics from the eternal God, having no beginning and no end as an aspect of God's character. This is an attribute of God. See for example Erickson (284). Everlasting morality and ethics from the eternal God, having a beginning in time with no end, existing within God's finite creation. Note, humanly speaking, morality is internal, ethics is external.

As a term 'corporate social responsibility' is 'looking decidedly moth-eaten'. (55). 'Big data' (56), is another example provided by the author. It is supposed to represent a move forward and 'not many people would favour using less information'. (56).

But what is the definition of big?

But what is the definition of data?

Pirie is correct 'big data' is an example of fairly empty words and phrases. (56). There is a lack of substantial argumentation and fact attached to those types of terms and phrases.

One has to be on top of the fashionable use of words list for the use of this fallacy. (56).

BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press. 

ELLISON, H.L. (1986) ‘Matthew’, in F.F. Bruce (ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan. 

ELWELL, WALTER AND YARBROUGH, ROBERT W., Third Edition (2013) Encountering The New Testament, Grand Rapids, Baker Academic. 

ERICKSON, MILLARD J. (1994) Christian Theology, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids.

FRANCE, R.T. (1985) Matthew, Grand Rapids, IVP, Eerdmans.

 

PIRIE, MADSEN (2006)(2015) How To Win Every Argument, Bloomsbury, London.

HAMILTON, VICTOR P. (1988) Handbook on the Pentateuch, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.

LA SOR, WILLIAM SANFORD, DAVID ALLAN HUBBARD, AND FREDERIC WILLIAM BUSH. (1987) Old Testament Survey, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 

PORTER, LAURENCE.E. (1986) ‘Luke’, in F.F. Bruce (gen.ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Marshall Pickering/ Zondervan. 

SCHULTZ SMAUEL J, AND GARY V. SMITH, (2001) Exploring the Old Testament, Wheaton, Illinois, Crossway Books. 

SHORT, STEPHEN S. (1986) ‘Mark’, in F.F. Bruce (ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary (1995) Della Thompson, Editor, Clarendon Press, Oxford.

The Orthodox Study Bible, New Testament and Psalms, (1993) Saint Athanasius Orthodox Academy, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee.