Is it ethical to look down my nose at people when I use words like de trope or Begriffsgeschichte?

Question

It is funny how people interpret questions. I did not say that I look down my nose at others or that I think it is ethical to be condescending. I asked whether it is ethical to look down my nose at others because I am familiar with the jargon of academia or know more than a little about languages.

You're right. De trope should be de trop.

mcd

I meant no such thing. How you can read that into the question is nothing short of amazing.

c,

unlike your example, the words I mentioned can easily be found in English or German dictionaries. Besides, I never said that one should use words glibly, without explaining them or that one should show off by using big words.

This is a question about ethics. Ethics is concerned with the way in which humans comport themselves in society. The question is also ethical in that ethics analyzes virtue and vice or what are called virtues. For Christians, one virtue is humility (not looking down one's nose at others). On the other hand, Aristotle considered "pride" as a virtue. This question has ethics written all over it.

I would never seek to hurt anyone's feelings or make them think that they are not equal to me. For the most part, I am an egalitarian, although I would more than likely qualify in what sense I hold to egalitarian principles. And to the last answer, thanks for giving me the benefit of the doubt.

Xarein,

Sokrates

Answer 1

you must have a huge nose

Answer 2

I don't really see how ethics has anything to do with it.

We all possess knowledge in different areas of life. I work in a factory, so one might assume that I know more about putting a vehicle together or the manufacturing process than you do. But other than knowing that you know a couple of words in another language, I know absolutely nothing about you, so that could be a completely false assumption.

I would say rather than being a question of ethics, your statement would be presumptuous.

Answer 3

If I and an elect group of friends carried elaborate defintions for the words: blourgatsa, Tropyuit, and ghryetdn, would we be ethical? No, similar to your situation, we would just be silly for not explaining ourselves.

Answer 4

Who cares about ethical? Are you trying to communicate or show off? You are stupid and rude to look down your nose, especially when there are so many special jargons around these days that can be used to keep you out. You know some French and German terms, but if you encounter art, chemistry, social science, computer, semiconductor, or government jargon do you want people looking down their noses when you try to fake it or just show you don't know.

Answer 5

I don't think that being an arrogant pretentious blowhard is unethical. Looking down your nose at others isn't nice but I don't think it's evil. Putting people down to their faces, deliberately hurting them emotionally or physically is immoral. A good rule of thumb is that if someone is being hurt, it probably isn't right. If no one is being hurt, then fill your boots. Who cares? Think what you like.

Those with intelligence & confidence, those who are secure in themselves don't look down their noses at others. It's actually a sign of insecurity to attempt to prove your superiority over others by insulting them. Some people need to put others down to try to raise their own self-esteem.

Cheers!
I'm sure you were asking out of curiosity, not because you actually feel that way...
;)

I once got a fortune that read "He with his nose in the air is easily hooked..."
Tee hee

Answer 6

I don,t think it be ethical,but personally I do it sometimes because of being somehow autiste .When I look people sometimes I can,t concentrate and I loose myself.

Answer 7

Obviously you MEANT that you look down on people, or you wouldn't have phrased the question the way you did.

You misspelled de trop, by the way...

Answer 8

What's the fun of knowing big words if you can't look down your nose at people who don't? Just make sure you know what they mean. Enjoy the schadenfreude.

Answer 9

If you want to. All it proves is that you are probably good at NYTimes crossword puzzles. Using big words isnt necessarily an indication of intelligence -just the ability to memorize. Pax - C.

Answer 10

What did you say? ohhhh master !!

Answer 11

Not really.