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Contraposition Posted 12 years ago
Vocabulary
back oneself to inf
What does 'back oneself to inf' mean?
With no attempt there can be no failure and with no failure no humiliation. So our self-esteem in this world depends entirely on what we back ourselves to be and do. It is determined by the ratio of our actualities to our supposed potentialities. Thus, success divided by pretensions equals self esteem. This illustrates how every rise in our levels of expectation entails a rise in the dangers of humiliation. What we understand to be normal is critical in determining our chances of happiness. It also hints at two ways for raising our self-esteem. On the one hand, we may try to achieve more; and on the other, we may reduce the number of things we want to achieve. The advantages of the latter approach lie in the following statement: To give up pretensions is as blessed a relief as to get them gratified.
With no attempt there can be no failure and with no failure no humiliation. So our self-esteem in this world depends entirely on what we back ourselves to be and do. It is determined by the ratio of our actualities to our supposed potentialities. Thus, success divided by pretensions equals self esteem. This illustrates how every rise in our levels of expectation entails a rise in the dangers of humiliation. What we understand to be normal is critical in determining our chances of happiness. It also hints at two ways for raising our self-esteem. On the one hand, we may try to achieve more; and on the other, we may reduce the number of things we want to achieve. The advantages of the latter approach lie in the following statement: To give up pretensions is as blessed a relief as to get them gratified.
Top answer
contraposition our self-esteem in this world depends entirely on what we back ourselves to be and do. I find this an odd use of the verb 'to back'. It means to support something, often financially, though the financial meaning is not present here, so it has the feeling of meaning 'to put energy or effort into'.
- contraposition our self-esteem in this world depends entirely on what we back ourselves to be and do.
- I find this an odd use of the verb 'to back'.
- It means to support something, often financially, though the financial meaning is not present here, so it has the feeling of meaning 'to put energy or effort into'.
- what we back ourselves to be ~ that which we make an effort to be what we back ourselves to do ~ that which we make an effort to do I don't recommend that you imitate this usage.
- CJ
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1 Answers
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contrapositionour self-esteem in this world depends entirely on what we back ourselves to be and do.I find this an odd use of the verb 'to back'. It means to support something, often financially, though the financial meaning is not present here, so it has the feeling of meaning 'to put energy or effort into'.
what we back ourselves to be ~ that whic
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