Summary Of Why The Words We Use To Talk About Language

As contemporary society pushes for moral progress, the way in which we use our language continues to garner attention. In his article “Why the Words We Use to Talk About Mental Health Are Important”, Vice Magazine columnist Oscar Rickett admonishes the pervasiveness of stigmatizing language in our culture. Rickett points to the way in which a recent tragic story involving a fatal plane crash caused by a copilot with a history of depression was covered by the media using discriminatory language as an example of how “language [is used] to demonize a large and infinitely varied section of society” (Ricket). Citing studies and various historical examples, he shows how the presence of such speech - both in the media and in everyday interactions
The works of Plato and Aristotle in particular provide insight into the importance of language and its proper use that prove remarkably resonant with this contemporary debate. The insite of these thinkers support Ricketts concerns regarding proper language use, and expand on the issue by showing correct speech is desirable not only as a means of benefiting our society, but also as a means to benefit one’s own well
Similarly, he shows that by not pursuing this task we are not only inflicting harm upon those around us, but also upon ourselves - “when the elements of the mind are confused or displaced, is what constitutes injustice indiscipline cowardice ignorance and in short wickedness of all kinds”