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19.1.10

(CL) What Happens If We Don't Think In Human Terms?

I wanted to do this blog with some kind of insight on the book... any kind of insight for that matter, but I still can't find the book anywhere, so allow me to grasp at straws.

As usual, I have to go in and define a term to make it easier to answer the question.

What are "human terms?"

In all honesty, I can't think of a solid definition for the term, nor have I been able to find anything conclusive, so all I'm left with are guesses, and hopefully I'm not too far off the mark.

"Human terms"
In the effort to come up with an accurate definition, I looked up the meaning of each word in the Merriam-Webster dictionary and will try to combine them into something coherent.
Human: having form or attribute representative of human nature.
Terms: A word or expression that has a precise meaning.
In this way, I'd say that "human terms" are words or phrases coined to capture a certain aspect of human nature, something intrinsic to humans that they instinctively understand the meaning even if no words could be present during the communication.

In Philosophy, I learned that it is part of a Western mindset to have a rational and logical side. The mind, which is in control there, is prone to naming and labeling things so that it is easier to compare, to evaluate, and to rationalize. Perhaps then, this is what human terms mean (since not many people achieve the more confusing Eastern mindset -- most people think on the same plain), ideas that most, if not all, humans will understand.

Bearing that in mind, what happens if we don't think in human terms?

Well, I think most prominently, the problem would be the breakdown of communication between humans. If we don't think in human terms, then it would be very difficult for others to measure and quantify whatever it is that we want to say.

Using human terms allows people to come to understandings and agreements, so if that should fall apart, I think it would hinder the ability of any two people or parties the ability to understand whatever thought that one has. Failure to communicate on a small level would only translate to the larger and larger groups of people.

Ultimately, I think things like this would hinder any kind of understanding and perhaps even development between people and, on the larger scale, between nations.

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