Liberty Unbound
Published on Liberty Unbound (http://libertyunbound.com)

Home > Printer-friendly

  • Reflections


Persuasive Definitions

by Leland B. Yeager  |  Posted October 24, 2012

Charles L. Stevenson coined the term "persuasive definitions" (Ethics and Language, 1944). It means: to apply words with favorable or unfavorable connotations to things or actions in such a way as to substitute for actual argument. Examples abound in political discourse nowadays.

I'll focus on just one: "invest." Politicians repeatedly tell us Americans to "invest" in our children, education, job retraining, medical and other research, defense, infrastructure, a healthy environment, clean energy, energy independence, transportation, progress, the future — whatever. Here "invest in" means "have the government spend more money on." More fully, it means "have the government spend more money on such things — money raised by taxes and by increasing the national debt."

What further examples can readers contribute?


About this Author
Leland B. Yeager is Ludwig von Mises Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Economics at Auburn University.


Share This
  • budget
  • debt
  • failure
  • government
  • investment
  • language
  • Reflections
  • About Us
  • Editors & Staff
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise with Liberty
  • RSS Feed

Source URL: http://libertyunbound.com/node/921