Is the word 'coward' misused more often than not?

Feisar

jimgoose wrote: »

The sort of aggressive, violent people who have a tendency to attack people and commit violent crime are, in general, not cowardly shrinking violet types. The word "coward" is thrown around a lot these days to help victims of these people feel better about themselves.

I often think of the fact unacceptable to George Orwell's "Pacifist Nationalist": "Those who ‘abjure’ violence can only do so because others are committing violence on their behalf."

You cant handle the truth! Son we live in a world that has walls, and those have to be guarded by men with guns. Whose gonna do it you, you lieutenant Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago, and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury, you have the luxury of not knowing what I know, that Santiago's death while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence while grotesque and incomprehensible, to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you talk about parties; you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall! We use words like honor, code, loyalty, We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something, you use them as a punch line. I have neither the time,or the inclination, to explain myself to a man, who rises and sleep under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner, in which I provide it. I'd rather you just say 'thank you' and go on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn, what you think you are entitled to!

jimgoose

marieholmfan wrote: »

Also for alot of people violence is its own reward.

Indeed, these people are what behavioural psychologists call "Muckin' Fental". :pac:

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Biodegradable wrote: »

Maybe they're thrill seekers, or maybe they've something to prove? And maybe that does prove that such criminals are brave... but it does not prove that the criminal who takes the easier option isn't brave (i.e, that they're a coward).

There's are plenty of times in life when you don't have a choice but to be brave. So why go about creating situations that require bravery, when you can simply get the same result without the risk? There's a difference between laziness and cowardice.

You cannot prove, that the sort of person that you're arguing is a coward, is a coward unless you witness them act in a situation where they actually need to be brave.

You're welcome.

I'm not trying to prove it. I'm trying to say that not all criminals are cowards. There are brave criminals and there are cowardly criminals; just as in every walk of life.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Of course. They were people who refused to oppose their countries supporting nazis but where willing to die in missions that hurt the allies.

You won't stand against your emperor for what you know is right.....I mean the worst they could have done to you was kill you.

Yeah that is pretty cowardly.

Why would the Japanese oppose the emperor or the military regime? The vast majority of them entirely supported Japanese imperialism and those pilots were more than happy to die for the cause.

topper75

If there is a thin line between bravery and stupidity, would that also mean difficulty on occasion picking apart cowardice and being clever?

jimgoose

topper75 wrote: »

If there is a thin line between bravery and stupidity, would that also mean difficulty on occasion picking apart cowardice and being clever?

"The wild boar runs from the tiger knowing that each being well armed by nature with deadly strength may kill the other. Running he saves his own life and that of the tiger. This is not cowardice. It is the love of life."

Biodegradable

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

There are brave criminals and there are cowardly criminals; just as in every walk of life.

Well how could I disagree with that!?

But you know damn well you're arguing against the very essence of what I'm saying. You're basically saying that a criminal who prayed on a weak person can be assumed to be a coward, whereas I'm saying that we'd need to know more about such a person in order to deem them as a coward.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Biodegradable wrote: »

Well how could I disagree with that!?

That's a question for you, not me. I mean: why are you replying to my posts??

But you know damn well you're arguing against the very essence of what I'm saying. You're basically saying that a criminal who prayed on a weak person can be assumed to be a coward, whereas I'm saying that we'd need to know more about such a person in order to deem them as a coward.

I defined the act to be cowardly, not the person.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

Well, if you pick on defenceless victims, id consider it pretty cowardly.

Hangdogroad

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

The killed themselves though rather than hang around. I would say that is cowardice.

Killing yourself and a load of other people over some fictional man in the sky is stupidity.

Biodegradable

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

I defined the act to be cowardly, not the person.

Well then you can't define the act as cowardly. You can only really define it as being cruel. How can you say that the act of raping someone is cowardly? It seems like a randomly chosen description.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Biodegradable wrote: »

Well then you can't define the act as cowardly. You can only really define it as being cruel. How can you say that the act of raping someone is cowardly? It seems like a randomly chosen description.

Why can;t it be both?

Raconteuse

I see what the OP means - sometimes people who are referred to as cowards might not be cowards at all. They might be very strong and confident.

Of course a lot of the time they are cowards, but as OP says, it can seem like wishful thinking to apply this label without knowing enough about the person.

Bullies are a prime example - referred to as unhappy, lacking self esteem, will have no luck etc. And yeah that's true a lot of course but unfortunately some are very happy and confident and life will work out great for them. This is an unpalatable reality. No deeper reason for tormenting others than arrogance and narcissism.