THE IMPORTANCE OF IGNORANCE - WORD MEANINGS

PART 3

Connotative and denotative meanings of words can appear to be completely opposite in those cases where the goal of an emotional response or gut reaction to the word is to be achieved for wonderful or nefarious purposes.

The public is educated to believe that certain words carry strong negative and harmful implications. For example, the word "liberal" seems to be a dirty word in many people's minds. Certainly "communism" and "socialism" have become labels of bad things to come. Yet the words themselves have important meanings that require open-mindedness. However, when educated toward ignorance, even "Heil Hitler" has wonderful connotations.

Liberal:
–adjective
1. favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.
2. (often initial capital letter ) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.
3. of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism.
4. favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.
5. favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.
6. of or pertaining to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies.
7. free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.

8. open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.
9. characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts: a liberal donor.
10. given freely or abundantly; generous: a liberal donation.
11. not strict or rigorous; free; not literal: a liberal interpretation of a rule.

Socialism:
1: any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2 a: a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b: a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3: a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

Communism:
classless political system: the political theory or system in which all property and wealth is owned in a classless society by all the members of that society

Conservative:
1. disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change.
2. cautiously moderate or purposefully low: a conservative estimate.
3. traditional in style or manner; avoiding novelty or showiness: conservative suit.

By learning the true meanings of words, connotations, the intended emotional response, becomes more rational. More rational means more thoughtful, More thoughtful means more educated, more intelligent in most cases. Then actions, like choosing a President, become more intelligently based. Hopefully.