"Feel" vs "Believe"
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,090
I don't know if this belongs here in AMT but since I generally see this happen more here than elsewhere I figured this is a good place to post this. I know this is going to sound nit-picky as hell but stick with me here just for a minute.
It is common in our discourse- at least here in the US, maybe elsewhere- to substitute the word "feel" for "believe". Even in everyday conversation we often hear people say things like, "I feel like going to the store." When someone one says something that, a good response might be, "Oh really? How does that feel?" What the person really means is, "I want to go to the store" or "I believe it's time I should get to the store." Generally the use of the word "feel" is best accompanied by a feeling word. "I feel sore when I go to the store because my feet hurt so much."
This becomes more important when talking about issues. If someone says, "I feel that the XYZ situation was a cover up what the person really means is, "I believe the XZY situation is a cover up or, perhaps, "I feel angry over the XYZ cover up".
Then you might here this: "The XYZ situation makes me mad." Or someone might say to me, "You make me mad because you don't understand that the XYZ situation is a cover up,", to which I might respond, "Oh really? Can I make you give me a thousand dollars?" Saying something "makes you" often gives that something power that it doesn't actually posses. Don't give up your power. If you do, while your at it, please give me a thousand dollars. I think that's about what my time is worth here, don't you?
It is common in our discourse- at least here in the US, maybe elsewhere- to substitute the word "feel" for "believe". Even in everyday conversation we often hear people say things like, "I feel like going to the store." When someone one says something that, a good response might be, "Oh really? How does that feel?" What the person really means is, "I want to go to the store" or "I believe it's time I should get to the store." Generally the use of the word "feel" is best accompanied by a feeling word. "I feel sore when I go to the store because my feet hurt so much."
This becomes more important when talking about issues. If someone says, "I feel that the XYZ situation was a cover up what the person really means is, "I believe the XZY situation is a cover up or, perhaps, "I feel angry over the XYZ cover up".
Then you might here this: "The XYZ situation makes me mad." Or someone might say to me, "You make me mad because you don't understand that the XYZ situation is a cover up,", to which I might respond, "Oh really? Can I make you give me a thousand dollars?" Saying something "makes you" often gives that something power that it doesn't actually posses. Don't give up your power. If you do, while your at it, please give me a thousand dollars. I think that's about what my time is worth here, don't you?
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.
Democracy Dies in Darkness- Washington PostPost edited by Unknown User on
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It made me think and smile (but not give you $1).
Can't blame a guy for trying!
Reminds me of a few weeks back when I said to my wife, "I feel like ice cream."
And she poked my arm and said, "you feel human to me."
I felt drunk last sunday, but who will ever know, I don't remember a thing.
I used to be rich. I used to to go school there. "Used to."
How is the word 'use' assumed to mean 'did in the past'? This one honestly confuses me.
Excellent question, Jonny! I never thought about that one. Thanks!
if you've ever been to a place where you have lost all feeling and been blessed
to feel again
if one can imagine this then I think one grasp the concept of feel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmVAWKfJ4Go
I agree it is an important word which I why I stress it's use is most appropriate when feeling is what is meant. When substituted for another, "feel", "believe" and "want" lose their true meaning and confuse discourse.
that's just the way the word is used is all :wtf:
Definition of USE
transitive verb
1archaic: accustom, habituate
2: to put into action or service : avail oneself of : employ
3: to consume or take (as liquor or drugs) regularly
4: to carry out a purpose or action by means of : utilize; also: manipulate 2b <used him selfishly>
5: to expend or consume by putting to use —often used with up
6 to behave toward : act with regard to : treat <used the prisoners cruelly>
7: stand 1d <the house could use a coat of paint>
intransitive verb
1—used in the past with to to indicate a former fact or state <we used to go more often> <didn't use to smoke>
2: to take illicit drugs regularly
It's just a euphemism. It doesn't making any more or less sense than saying "Beats me" instead of "I don't know." Language changes and evolves; it's not static, and those changes don't drag it down or elevate it. That's the beauty of language.
At least that's how I feel. :P
@Brianlux -- I enjoyed your semantic assessment. It gets at another underlying point, namely that words have power and thus it's important that the words we use be allowed their "real" meaning. Hmm, but what's real? That's a problem. Words like "racist", "fair", "life" we all seem to use slightly (or substantially) differently. Makes for a challenging conversation sometimes.
However, using your example of "beats me" -- the difference I see between that and Brian's example is that yours would likely never serve to confuse the discourse. It will be very obvious by context whether you mean you're a victim of domestic abuse..."[He] beats me"...or whether you just aren't sure about the answer..."The average velocity of an airborne swallow? Beats me."
Unfortunately, it is no longer taught as it should be in schools, thus children do not have as wide a grasp of vocabulary as the language deserves.
I remember the good old days of writing the 5000+ word essay, trying not to repeat 'common' words, looking up synonyms in my massive thesaurus (no internet then!).
A language is so organic - it's development is fascinating.
Very true. But it makes you think...I guess the point is that some words have obvious meanings that cant be misconstrued too much. Others such as feel, believe, use, etc.. can have such a variety of meanings, that its a surprise a new word didnt evolve.
How about: I used to use the dictionary.
Imagine if you were a native speaker of another language and trying to figure that one out.
I understand what you are saying, Who Princess, but I would argue that the changes to the English language- especially as spoken in the U.S.- have led it to become less accurate, less descriptive, and I believe (not feel) that as a people we are less articulate. For example: the word cool is an excellent word used to denote excellence or a personal liking or something to that effect, but it's usage has become so widespread that it has virtually wiped out a large portion of other adjectives that are more descriptive. Not, in my opinion, so cool.
My biggest issue here is with hearing or reading people say, "I feel that..." This has absolutely nothing to do with feeling. It is lazy language at best. If what is being said is a belief, state it as such. If it's a strong belief, use a feeling word to enhance the statement: "I'm feeling very bored hearing Brian go on and on about this petty argument over the usage of 'feel' and 'belief' because frankly, I don't believe it is all that important."
what you believe vs what you know
what you feel vs what you believe
I think we should all work on our feeling skills but alas some don't want to play
I imagine 100 years in the future our perception will be so much more tuned,
at least I hope, that we can feel much more about each other and the world.
A heightened sensitivity. Even communication. Well if we can stop thinking
and open up. ESP baby... it's evolution.
Are you flirting with me?
I strongly agree with Who Princess, my wife's best friend was an English major her first time going through college and my mother in law was a Latin major, they are always trying to "Define" what is proper and right and wrong, We have had long boring conversations deep into the night about this, but i Believe it's an ever evolving thing. It's communication. It's all made up anyway.
I love words, words are the best. I agree it is evolving, each generation makes some changes.
Unfortunately I have not kept up with the slang :oops: that can prove quite embarrassing.
:roll:
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/767091/
Is that a movie? If it isn't it should be, perfect for a Friday evening
ebaumworld I must investigate
My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun:
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked, red and white;
But no such roses I see in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath from my mistress reaks:
I love to hear her speak,
yet well I know that music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go:
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground.
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare as any she belied with false compare.
There is a reason we do not talk like this anymore.
About 99% of modern philosophy and anthropology would disagree with you there.
Look at Facebook. Language is identity creation. People post so much inane jabber on there, but its not meaningless (at least for the poster). It's how they create their identity for the people they are speaking to, even if what they are saying is meaningless to the listener.
So on the subject of choosing "feel" over "believe," I think it's a point worth considering. Generally speaking, if someone "believes" something, people understand them to have an "opinion," and opinions are more assertive stances. A "belief" requires the holder to essentially stick their neck out on something, perhaps controversial, perhaps not. You may believe in a particular congressional action because XYZ. Or you may believe in the law of gravity because you've seen a ball drop. But in all cases, to hold a belief requires some thought, reason, rationale, logic, study, information etc (yes, even with religion). In sum, holding a belief, at least on some topics, is hard work!
Now, feelings on the other hand, are often considered involuntary, instinctive, reflexive. We don't decide that we feel a certain way, we just experience the feeling. Much of individual therapy is geared toward this very idea: we must learn to control our actions and words because we can't control our feelings that cause our actions and words. It's not hard work to find yourself thinking you love someone, or you hate someone, or you don't like this particular congressional action etc.
So when people say certain things, it's often geared toward managing the social fallout from their opinions vs. their feelings. If a person says "I feel that XYZ is wrong," the speaker is implicitly guarding their statement, the sub-text being "this is my involuntary position, please don't judge me." If someone says "I believe that XZY is wrong," they are asserting their position, and implicitly telling listeners (regardless of whether its true or not) "I have seriously considered this issue and am willing to stick my neck out and state a position, subject to criticism, on this issue." Of course, just because someone says they believe something, doesn't mean that they actually have considered the issue or applied logic, rationale, reason etc, but that's exactly the point. Language is power. The words you choose make what you say more persuasive. Even if you haven't done a lick of homework on an issue, implying you have by stating "I believe something to be true" is far more convincing and persuasive to listeners than saying "I feel something to be true."
There's a reason presidential campaigns have speech writers. There's a reason presidents don't say "I feel that..." There's a reason Romney's campaign slogan wasn't "Feel in America." There's a reason advertising is what it is. Language is power.
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Yeah, it called "Idiocracy". I thought it made a great point about where we are headed culturally but it was a little too over the top for me. It almost parodies itself ad infinitum.
the kid is one of my favorite young actors too
I enjoy stupid sometimes especially after a fatty
it's on the list!
Excellent summation here, Vant. I agree with Who Princess and BinauralJam that these things can get hashed to death but I really do believe in the power of language and the importance of it's accuracy when talking about current events, matters of opinion, politics, environment and such, which is why I posted this on AMT.
On the other hand, I'm more apt to say just about anything on AET.
That being said I feel like I want to go home. I mean I believe I should go home. I just really want to go home now, dammit!
"I need your strength for me to be strong...I need your love to feel loved"
While I also get what Brian's trying to say, I'll try to explain myself and briefly unearth my credentials. I have both BA and MA degrees in English and taught college English for 4 years, mostly ESL. So I know a little bit about the subject but I'm hardly "the" expert.*
Besides the fact that language is fluid (constantly evolving, creating new words, borrowing from other languages), the rules vary according to usage. As I learned in college, back in prehistoric times, there is an enormous difference between how we use language when we write and when we speak. Written language has (or should have) formal rules for usage. Spoken language varies according to the situation and audience, but it's generally much more informal than written language. Of course, all this was back before there were such things as email, message boards, texts, and any other technological advances you care to add. But those are generally governed by their own sets of rules and again, they tend to be more informal than written language.
Writing will vary in formality. Bear in mind the two principles of rhetoric: audience and purpose. Every form of communication must consider those two things. Who are you trying to reach and why? If you tell the same story to four different people, there's a good chance you may tell it four different ways.
This is why I don't get too worked up about the changes in language. It's a living thing so it keeps changing. The word "smock" (for undergarments) was very vulgar in Shakespeare's day. "Blizzard" used to mean firing a volley from a gun. In the late 19th century, a American newspaperman used it to describe the blinding snowstorms that came down the Western Plains from Canada, and that's how we know the word today. Just a couple of examples of the way language evolves.
My only disappointment is that people seem to take so little interest in language. But that's because it fascinates me. We really limit our options to communicate if we limit our interest in language.
*I rarely talk about this because then everyone expects me to act like an English teacher.
Language changes. it is almost more interesting to talk about why and how it changes rather than lament it.