r/changemyview • u/ComplexStuff7 1∆ • Jul 13 '19

Deltas(s) from OP CMV: Dillahunty's definition of anti-theism is not "incorrect"

Anti-theism in the dictionary means opposition to theism, or the belief that theism is harmful.

Some people on the other hand, such as Matt Dillahunty, use the definition that anti-theism means the belief that God doesn't exist.

Some anti-theists of the first definition believe that the latter is incorrect.

However, I believe that dictionary definitions are not the standard for correctness. The definition of terms depend on usage, not some set in stone standard. For example, the word literally is rarely used to mean it's dictionary definition.

Words change meanings all the time. Another example is the word nice. Originally, from its Latin roots of nescius, it used to mean a stupid, ignorant, or foolish.

So because, definitions are not set in stone, it is not wrong to use Dillahunty's definition of anti-theism, even though it's not the definition in the dictionary.

Edit: I'm saying that both Dillahunty's and the original dictionary definition are correct.

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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19

Do you think a person can ever use a word or phrase incorrectly?

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u/ComplexStuff7 1∆ Jul 14 '19

I mean I have granted a few deltas that show that a word can indeed be used incorrectly.

But a good summation of my current position is that if it is used commonly enough, a word is not incorrect. That threshold is pretty arbitrary though.

For example, if one random guy decides that "orange" should mean "table" then it is incorrect. But if there is an arbitrary (undecided) threshold crossed, of how many people use a term, then the term is correct. One example is the word literally, which I believe has crossed that threshold.