This week we discussed the latin phrase "Ad Hominem". The students in my classes often amaze me; however, I also have respect for them. One third grader demonstrated knowledge and critical thinking when we discussed this phrase, ad hominem.
The Latin phrase simply means, "to the man". In more precise terms, it means an "argument against the person". It is not when a person makes a case against the ideas the person is presenting. Many times political advertisements and speeches reflect emotional reactions to the other candidate rather than presenting a coherent evaluation of the issues. People voting for a person based on their feelings, sometimes make uninformed choices. Ad hominem appeals, made by candidates, effectively persuade people who do not think critically. I challenged my students to listen to the political candidates. I hope they will begin to notice the difference in appeals made ad hominem and those rationally presenting sound ideas based on reliable information. Listen to claims made by candidates... are they stating reliable information or are they expressing ideas ad hominem?
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This magnified picture shows the fine details of the the shaft and barbs on a feather. I took the picture with a "Pro-Scope". This amazing device hooks up to the computer and takes pictures in 50x magnification. I received it at a science workshop I attended. The wonderful part is that I get to keep the Pro-Scope for my classroom. Click on the picture to see some of the other images I have generated with this new tool (toy). You will be amazed. My parents named me Margaret. When I was just a small baby, my brother wanted to call me Margie. The story my mother told me was that he loved the T.V. show called "My Little Margie". So the name stuck. I have been called Margaret, Margie, Margery, Maggie; but my favorite is still Margie... because that is what my brother named me. The name Margaret means, a pearl of God. Pearls are valuable. Likewise, our words are valuable too. The phrase "pearls of wisdom" denotes that the words of experience hold wisdom and insight. Pearls are formed over a long period of time in an oyster. They form in the soft tissue of the oyster because some form of irritation caused the clam to put up a defense mechanism. The oyster makes the pearl using calcium carbonate to surround or enclose the irritant. The formation of the pearl takes years. What does your name mean? |
PearlPearls take time to form; likewise, our words should be chosen carefully and with thought. Archives
February 2024
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