0
Stenka25 Posted 12 years ago
Vocabulary
Meaning of “potential compassion” and “in the way of”
meaning of “potential compassion” and “in the way of”
The passage below comes from the website as follows.
http://www.epubbud.com/read.php?g=H8AVF5J5&p=6
True, but assuming the worst will not avert these fates; striving to continue improving the human lot may. It is precisely because so much human betterment has been shown to be possible in recent centuries that the continuing imperfection of the world places a moral duty on humanity to allow economic evolution to continue. To prevent change, innovation and growth is to stand in the way of potential compassion. Let it never be forgotten that, by propagating excessive caution about genetically modified food aid, some pressure groups may have exacerbated real hunger in Zambia in the early 2000s.
In that passage, I have two questions about two underlined parts, “in the way of,” and “potential compassion.”
? Is the underlined “in the way of” used in the same way as in “Don't stand in the way of progress?”
? What’s the meaning of “potential compassion?” I cannot work up the meaning of it, however hard I try.
Thank you in advance.
The passage below comes from the website as follows.
http://www.epubbud.com/read.php?g=H8AVF5J5&p=6
True, but assuming the worst will not avert these fates; striving to continue improving the human lot may. It is precisely because so much human betterment has been shown to be possible in recent centuries that the continuing imperfection of the world places a moral duty on humanity to allow economic evolution to continue. To prevent change, innovation and growth is to stand in the way of potential compassion. Let it never be forgotten that, by propagating excessive caution about genetically modified food aid, some pressure groups may have exacerbated real hunger in Zambia in the early 2000s.
In that passage, I have two questions about two underlined parts, “in the way of,” and “potential compassion.”
? Is the underlined “in the way of” used in the same way as in “Don't stand in the way of progress?”
? What’s the meaning of “potential compassion?” I cannot work up the meaning of it, however hard I try.
Thank you in advance.
Top answer
" The term "potential compassion" is a kind of mincing of words here. change, innovation and growth" is always something good for "human betterment" and that it is a "moral duty" of humanity to allow it. "
- " The term "potential compassion" is a kind of mincing of words here.
- change, innovation and growth" is always something good for "human betterment" and that it is a "moral duty" of humanity to allow it.
- "
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
2 Answers
0
The phrase "to stand in the way of" is an idiom in English meaning "to oppose" or "to prevent." The term "potential compassion" is a kind of mincing of words here. The argument being put forth here is that "economic evolution...change, innovation and growth" is always something good for "human betterment" and that it is a "moral duty" of humanity to allow it. However, it would be perhaps a bit
00
Related Questions