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Pructus Posted 15 years ago
When we consider either the history of opinion, or the ordinary conduct of human life, to what is it to be ascribed that the one and the other are no worse than they are? Not certainly to the inherent force of the human understanding; for, on any matter not self-evident, there are ninety-nine persons totally incapable of judging of it for one who is capable; and the capacity of the hundredth person is only comparative; for the majority of the eminent men of every past generation held many opinions now known to be erroneous, and did or approved numerous things which no one will now justify.
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The underlined, "the one and the other"...
"the one" refers to "the history of opinion" and the other "the ordinary conduct of human life"?
Grammar
J.S. Mill, On Liberty.
When we consider either the history of opinion, or the ordinary conduct of human life, to what is it to be ascribed that the one and the other are no worse than they are? Not certainly to the inherent force of the human understanding; for, on any matter not self-evident, there are ninety-nine persons totally incapable of judging of it for one who is capable; and the capacity of the hundredth person is only comparative; for the majority of the eminent men of every past generation held many opinions now known to be erroneous, and did or approved numerous things which no one will now justify.
*** *** ***
The underlined, "the one and the other"...
"the one" refers to "the history of opinion" and the other "the ordinary conduct of human life"?
Top answer
pructus "the one" refers to "the history of opinion" and the other "the ordinary conduct of human life"? S. Mill, but the introductory "when" phrase seems strange.
- pructus "the one" refers to "the history of opinion" and the other "the ordinary conduct of human life"?
- S.
- Mill, but the introductory "when" phrase seems strange.
- "When we consider A or B" means to me that we're choosing one.
- So how can we be asking a question about the both of them?
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2 Answers
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pructus"the one" refers to "the history of opinion" and the other "the ordinary conduct of human life"?In a word, "yes."
Far be it from me to criticize J.S. Mill, but the introductory "when" phrase seems strange.
"When we consider A or B" means to me that we're choosing one.
So how can we be asking a question about the both of them?
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Thanks a lot, Avangi....
Also thanks for the new phrase, "Far be it from me to do".
I learned one more phrase!!
Also thanks for the new phrase, "Far be it from me to do".
I learned one more phrase!!
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