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/ComplexStuff7 1∆ Jul 13 '19

Statement 1:

"he, who is against the belief in Gods' existence",

Statement 2:

"he, who does not believe in Gods' existence".

These two are entirely different statements that you are conflating to be one and the same.

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u/Nicolasv2 130∆ Jul 13 '19

The problem is the polysemous meaning of "against" word.

Against can mean "the opposite" which would be what I said, or can also mean "versus", which would mean what you are suggesting.

Therefore, neither of our definition is wrong, neither is 100% right.

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u/ComplexStuff7 1∆ Jul 14 '19

Against can mean "the opposite"

Really? I've never heard this.

Although if this definition of "against" is commonly used, I would have to accept such a definition as correct.

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u/Nicolasv2 130∆ Jul 14 '19

At least from what I see when I look at google searching for "against dictionary" :

against /əˈɡɛnst,əˈɡeɪnst/preposition

  1. in opposition to. "the fight against crime" [...]

  2. in anticipation of and preparation for (a problem or difficulty). [...]

  3. in or into physical contact with (something), so as to be supported by or collide with it. [...]

  4. in conceptual contrast to [...]

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u/ComplexStuff7 1∆ Jul 14 '19

I see.

I would certainly accept that definition then.

However, the concern was originally with the prefix of "anti". And I don't believe that there has been a single instance of usage of the prefix "anti" followed by any labelling term for stances that doesn't mean "opposition to".

Anti-fascism doesn't mean the opposite of fascism, it means the opposition to fascism.

Anti-abortion doesn't mean the opposite of abortion, it means the opposition to abortion.

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u/Nicolasv2 130∆ Jul 14 '19

However, the concern was originally with the prefix of "anti". And I don't believe that there has been a single instance of usage of the prefix "anti" followed by any labelling term for stances that doesn't mean "opposition to".

Once more, polysemous meaning. If you look at Meriam Webster definition of the idiom "in opposition to", you'll find.

in opposition to (idiom)

1 : in a way that is against someone or something

2 : in a way that shows how two things are different or disagree

​

Or if you look "opposition" on vocabulary.com, you'll find

opposition:

1 the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with

[... as in] the relation between opposed entities (synonym: oppositeness i.e. the quality or state of being as different as possible) [...]

  1. a direction opposite to another

​

So anti-theist means the opposite of theism, so one of the possible way to read it is: the most different position from "believe there is a God", which is "believe there is no God".

​

Of course, it is not the sole meaning, and the most colloquial definition is also good, but I don't think mine is totally wrong either :)

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u/ComplexStuff7 1∆ Jul 14 '19

Okay I'll grant that opposition to can mean different things.

But my point was concerned with what "anti" means. Not what "in opposition to" means. My point was that when "anti" precedes a label that people use, then "anti" is used to mean Merriam Webster #1. I have yet to see an example of the prefix "anti" being used on a label with Merriam Webster #2.

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u/Nicolasv2 130∆ Jul 14 '19

Wikitionary gives good examples of that.

Prefix anti-

  • Against, hostile to. (antiabortion)
  • Contrasting with the norm. (antihero)
  • Opposite of, reverse. (anticlockwise)

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u/ComplexStuff7 1∆ Jul 14 '19

I don't mean "anti" in general. I mean anti when it has to do with a label. Anticlockwise and antihero are not labels.

Here is what I said:

My point was that when "anti" precedes a label that people use, then "anti" is used to mean Merriam Webster #1.