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Dictionaries

Posted by: Kevin Dempsey ( Canada ) on May 20, 1999 at 01:49:49:

Stuart, some definitions of "superior" for you. Please read and address my comments below in ordr to substantiate your (currently inferior) argument of human superiority.

Lifted from a wbester's web dictionary:
"Main Entry: 1su·pe·ri·or
Pronunciation: su-'pir-E-&r
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French superieur, from Latin superior, comparative of superus upper, from
super over, above -- more at OVER
Date: 14th century
1 : situated higher up : UPPER
2 : of higher rank, quality, or importance
3 : courageously or serenely indifferent (as to something painful or disheartening)
4 a : greater in quantity or numbers b : excellent of its kind : BETTER memory>
5 : being a superscript
6 a of an animal structure : situated above or anterior or dorsal to another and especially a corresponding part superior artery> b of a plant structure : situated above or near the top of another part: as (1) of a calyx : attached to
and apparently arising from the ovary (2) of an ovary : free from the calyx or other floral envelope
7 : more comprehensive
8 : affecting or assuming an air of superiority : SUPERCILIOUS
- su·pe·ri·or·ly adverb"

Of the above definitions, I believe that only numbers 2 and 4b are pertinent, though number 8 certainly is a very apt description of your attitude. The first definition (2) leaves (I am sure you will agree) plenty of room for interpretation. For example, one might say that an employee at a grocery store has a supervisor who is her or his "superior". An investment banker might also have a "superior". Which of these two is "superior"? Many would say the banker's superior is superior to the grocery store worker's superior. Some would recognize that, for survival purposes, grocery store workers and their superiors are more important, and therefore superior to investment bankers.

The other definition (4b) gives its own example. Clearly the quality of superiority, in this case, depends on what you are discussing (cars, jobs, hair styles, religions, sexual orientation, species, knitting skills, typing skills, flying skills, web spinning skills etc.)

You said earlier: "Of course man is superior to animals - by any reasonable definition of the word." Since, based on dictionary definitions it is clear that some qualification is necessary, please qualify your statement, and BACK IT UP.



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