The Adonis Blue, loveliest of all the blue butterflies and rivalled only, perhaps, by the White Admiral as a thing of delicate wonder in flight, lending its grace to the beauty of the chalk uplands of southern England. This is the butterfly of our joyous childhood excursions to Hod Hill, where, I hope, it will continue to flourish long after the footprints of rapacious men fade from view. LJ
This paradox turns on the definition of the opposition between its the sense of “heterological”, referring to words that do not instantiate their own meaning, and that of “autological” or “homological”, referring to terms that do instantiate their own meaning. Examples typically cited are “short” and “polysyllabic”, which, since they instantiate their own meaning, are autological or homological, in opposition to “long” and “monosyllabic”, which do not do so and are therefore heterological. The paradox resides in the meaning of heterological, and is related to the barber paradox et al.
Initially, I could think of no other examples of terms thus instantiating their own sense, until recently, when, whilst frivolously composing limericks, I gave some thought to the terms defining metrical feet. Most of these are heterological, but “trochee” instantiates its own meaning and is therefore autological.
It has just occurred to me that « antonym » is also heterological.
Just a thought. I’m still looking for other examples, but not diligently! LJ
Il Liechtenstein resta la “Las Vegas delle Alpi” – I cittadini del principato bocciano, con il 73% dei no, la proposta di vietare i casinò – L’industria, che conta sei case da gioco, tira un sospiro di sollievo https://www.rsi.ch/g/15977923
Plainly, the age at which a child passes from the nebulously defined period of adolescence into adulthood, is of the order of a Sorites paradox of vagueness, but, whilst this clearly represents an amusing diversion, the suggestion that a child of twelve should be allowed access to the polling booth is palpably absurd. Significantly, no one makes mention here of the importance of differentiation of self, or individuation, which generally occurs at around 24-25 years of age; one speaker correctly emphasises the importance of cerebral development, with maturation typically occurring at the age of 25, but this was not picked up clearly enough by the panel.
There is some perilous nonsense being discussed here, doubtless fuelled by fanciful left-wing dreams of sweeping to power and bulldozing civilisation into extinction. Lord help us!
Let us not despair, however, nor lose faith in the limitless promise of young people.
Derrière la saleté s’étalant devant nous Derrière les yeux plissés et les visages mous Au delà de ces mains ouvertes ou fermées Qui se tendent en vain ou qui sont poing levé Plus loin que les frontières qui sont de barbelés Plus loin que la misère il nous faut regarder
Il nous faut regarder ce qu’il y a de beau Le ciel gris ou bleuté, les filles au bord de l’eau L’ami qu’on sait fidèle, le soleil de demain Le vol d’une hirondelle, le bateau qui revient L’ami qu’on sait fidèle, le soleil de demain Le vol d’une hirondelle, le bateau qui revient
Par delà le concert des sanglots et des pleurs Et des cris de colère des hommes qui ont peur Par delà le vacarme des rues et des chantiers Des sirènes d’alarme, des jurons de charretier Plus fort que les enfants qui racontent les guerres Et plus fort que les grands qui nous les ont fait faire
Il nous faut écouter l’oiseau au fond des bois Le murmure de l’été le sang qui monte en soi Les berceuses des mères, les prières des enfants Et le bruit de la terre qui s’endort doucement Les berceuses des mères, les prières des enfants Et le bruit de la terre qui s’endort doucement
Voglio vederti danzare come le zingare del deserto con candelabri in testa o come le balinesi nei giorni di festa.
Voglio vederti danzare come i Dervisches Tourners che girano sulle spine dorsali o al suono di cavigliere del Katakali.
E gira tutt’intorno la stanza mentre si danza, danza e gira tutt’intorno la stanza mentre si danza.
E Radio Tirana trasmette musiche balcaniche, mentre danzatori bulgari a piedi nudi sui bracieri ardenti.
Nell’Irlanda del nord nelle balere estive coppie di anziani che ballano al ritmo di sette ottavi.
Gira tutt’intorno la stanza mentre si danza, danza. E gira tutt’intorno la stanza mentre si danza.
Nei ritmi ossessivi la chiave dei riti tribali regni di sciamani e suonatori zingari ribelli. Nella Bassa Padana nelle balere estive coppie di anziani che ballano vecchi Valzer Viennesi
It occurs to me that this is an amusing example of the Sorites Paradox. The excerpt is from R.F.Delderfield’s “To serve them all my days”. At what moment does a pencil become a pencil-stub? This schoolmaster appears to know! LJ
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