Why do people swear so much?

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Lark_Truth
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Re: Why do people swear so much?

Post by Lark_Truth »

Okay, but putting the health promotions of swearing to the side for now, is swearing ethically correct?
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LuckyR
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Re: Why do people swear so much?

Post by LuckyR »

Lark_Truth wrote:Okay, but putting the health promotions of swearing to the side for now, is swearing ethically correct?
Well, is farting in public ethically correct? Or is that the wrong question? We all have gas some suppress some express. Similarly we all have the thoughts that lead some to curse. We are all (cursers and noncursers) more similar than different.

Of course, since you invoke ethics specifically, the true answer is going to vary. To some societies, say the uber-religious, swearing (taking the lord's name in vain) will call it ethically incorrect. Others will call it an unimportant thing, thus NOT ethically INcorrect.
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Re: Why do people swear so much?

Post by -1- »

LuckyR wrote:thus NOT ethically INcorrect.
What about politically?

Is swearing politically correct or incorrect? If it is incorrect, what government directive must we issue to right the situation? This has a direct benefit to society: it will generate enough policy writers' jobs. Each company and association will need to write a "swearing policy" and publish it publicly so the customers will know what to adhere to, and what they can expect of the companies whose employees are liable to / forbidden form swearing.

"Dam it, I hit my thumb again." Why should we build dams to satisfy the capricious and not at all reasonable demand of those who can't aim right with a hammer?

Before you say "It's stupid to ask if swearing is politically correct", please consider that we accepted as valid, the question whether swearing is ethical or not.
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LuckyR
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Re: Why do people swear so much?

Post by LuckyR »

-1- wrote:
LuckyR wrote:thus NOT ethically INcorrect.
What about politically?

Is swearing politically correct or incorrect? If it is incorrect, what government directive must we issue to right the situation? This has a direct benefit to society: it will generate enough policy writers' jobs. Each company and association will need to write a "swearing policy" and publish it publicly so the customers will know what to adhere to, and what they can expect of the companies whose employees are liable to / forbidden form swearing.

"Dam it, I hit my thumb again." Why should we build dams to satisfy the capricious and not at all reasonable demand of those who can't aim right with a hammer?

Before you say "It's stupid to ask if swearing is politically correct", please consider that we accepted as valid, the question whether swearing is ethical or not.
Huh? I know of no religious zealot who would seek to invoke the gubment' into the swearing "debate". Please clarify what you are speaking of.
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Re: Why do people swear so much?

Post by Steve3007 »

Do you consider swearing to be morally right or wrong? Please state yes or no
No.

-- Updated Mon Apr 17, 2017 1:00 pm to add the following --

-1-:
"Dam it, I hit my thumb again." Why should we build dams to satisfy the capricious and not at all reasonable demand of those who can't aim right with a hammer?
:) . I wonder if that's how beavers swear?

-- Updated Mon Apr 17, 2017 1:07 pm to add the following --
Before you say "It's stupid to ask if swearing is politically correct", please consider that we accepted as valid, the question whether swearing is ethical or not.
The fact that we enjoy talking on this thread doesn't necessarily mean that we accept that question as valid. In my view, the question "is swearing morally wrong?" makes about as much sense as asking whether talking is morally wrong. Or, to use LuckyR's example, flatulence. It depends entirely on the context and the effect that it causes. I think it should be obvious to any sane person that simply uttering a profanity does not in itself cause harm that could be regarded as morally wrong.
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Re: Why do people swear so much?

Post by Gordon975 »

The primitive part of our species mental thought process that exists alongside our intellect, is perhaps best revealed by studying what are considered to be swear words, and these words link together all the basic instincts needed for survival. We use swear words in the context of sex, fear, basic human biological functions, repulsion and violence etc; and the existence of this link points to an indication that these functions exist partly outside of intellectually reasoned thought.

Alongside the day-to-day perception of existence, is also a parallel one designed to enable survival in a hostile world. This process comes into action where there is fear, horror, and anger, etc; and also as part of this survival strategy, species reproduction.

The need for species reproduction and parts of the body related to it, are often referred to in the form of words, that are not only used in the context of this, but also in the context of the other survival methodologies. Therefore words associated with species reproduction are used when dealing with fear, horror or anger.

The biological reproduction of any species is part of a primitive survival strategy and ranks equally alongside all others.
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Re: Why do people swear so much?

Post by Sy Borg »

Lark_Truth wrote:If say a child is taught very well while young by loving and caring parents who are excellent role models of morality and integrity to follow those same standards, would less willpower be needed to be applied to things such as not swearing and be put to better use in other areas such as integrity and empathy? Could a person be raised to have it be almost instinctual to not swear and instead use other words, and not be a nasty piece of work?
Again, there would be an opportunity cost in dealing with a trivial matter like swearing when a focus could be placed on issues of substance. Certainly, wise child rearing can allow a person greater potential to reflexively respond to life's travails with grace and kindness as an adult.

Still, to be fair, "wise" parenting is probably rare and special. Most parents are flat out just trying to struggle through it all, and IMO are to be be congratulated if they can can manage that without too much mishap. So, in context, if one's kids end up with a good mind and heart but a potty mouth, then hopefully they will be smart enough to know when they can unload and when it's safest to zip it :)
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Re: Why do people swear so much?

Post by Lark_Truth »

You are right, Greta. It would take a lot for parents to teach such positive standards, and such instances are rare and special. The stress of raising rowdy children might not leave enough room for teaching behavioral standards.
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Steve3007
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Re: Why do people swear so much?

Post by Steve3007 »

My personal experience with my own children is that I teach them that there are, in our society, various arbitrary rules about what you can and cannot say in front of various different categories of people and that they just have to learn those rules. I think rules about which types of words you can use in the presence of which people are useful for that purpose: for teaching children that social conventions perform an important cohesive role in society even if they don't appear, at first sight, to make any practical sense.

For that reason, even though I don't personally care what swear words people use, my children still know not to use the "f word" in front of me, and definitely not in front of their grandparents, even though their grandparents don't actually care much either. Likewise, I actually very rarely use that word in front of them (the grandparents - my parents), even though we both have no hang-ups about it and both know that it's just a word. Funny.

I also find it funny when my kids are relaying what somebody else has said and are therefore, theoretically, allowed to use the "f word" but are still reluctant to use it because I've trained them that it's forbidden. Good to see that they can follow illogical social conventions. A good training for realising the importance of fitting in with society, while also being able to stand back from it and observe its eccentricities philosophically.

I've had some amusing arguments with my kids when they used words like "fricking" as euphemisms. To me, they're too close to the original for comfort. I wouldn't want them using such euphemisms in front of certain other people for fear of being thought a bad parent (social convention). But my kids know perfectly well that I can't argue this point rationally. Rationality doesn't come into it. We both know this, but we also both know why I object. Hence the amusing argument.
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Re: Why do people swear so much?

Post by Lark_Truth »

Here is an interesting phenomena that I have heard about only recently:

A boy started a "no-cussing club" and shockingly he began receiving death threats, bomb threats, had bricks thrown at him, and whatnot. A little boy. :shock: :cry: :x
Why?
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Steve3007
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Re: Why do people swear so much?

Post by Steve3007 »

The same reason why loads of other innocent people who happen to be in the public eye receive abuse and death threats. The proportion of people in the world who are stupid, idiotic nutters who like to hurl abuse at others just for kicks is thankfully very small. But there are billions of people in the world. If, thanks to the information age, you expose yourself to millions of them you will unfortunately bring yourself to the attention of a small number of morons. It's an unfortunate side effect.

For example, in the country where I live, thanks to the magic of modern communications (particularly Twitter) female members of parliament routinely receive threats that they and/or their families will be murdered or raped. Especially if they stick their head above the parapet on any women's rights related issues.

Just human nature I'm afraid.
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Re: Why do people swear so much?

Post by Spectrum »

Gordon975 wrote:The primitive part of our species mental thought process that exists alongside our intellect, is perhaps best revealed by studying what are considered to be swear words, and these words link together all the basic instincts needed for survival. We use swear words in the context of sex, fear, basic human biological functions, repulsion and violence etc; and the existence of this link points to an indication that these functions exist partly outside of intellectually reasoned thought.

Alongside the day-to-day perception of existence, is also a parallel one designed to enable survival in a hostile world. This process comes into action where there is fear, horror, and anger, etc; and also as part of this survival strategy, species reproduction.

The need for species reproduction and parts of the body related to it, are often referred to in the form of words, that are not only used in the context of this, but also in the context of the other survival methodologies. Therefore words associated with species reproduction are used when dealing with fear, horror or anger.

The biological reproduction of any species is part of a primitive survival strategy and ranks equally alongside all others.
Good points and I agree except I don't think 'reproduction' is a critical element re swearing.

Swearing is correlated with the anger emotions [of various shades] and its expression.
A person starts with swearing as an expression of 'anger' and when there is a repetition of such a state and expression it become habitualized. Even if is a habit, there is still an element of 'anger' within even externally there is no reason to be angry. The more stable person with high EQ will not swear as a habit or even in a real angry state.

A person may expressed anger after experiencing some sudden fear, horror, surprise, and other emotions [primary or secondary].

When a person swear in a state of anger [of various degrees or by habit] it is often expressed using certain words with the right verbal structure which normally end with an open strong explosive sound!! Thus is because the "f..." fit the sound structure for anger that it is used so naturally and not because it is related to sex and reproduction. This is also correlated with the increased adrenaline in those states.

Even birds used the "f..." to express to whatever the neural connectivity is in their brain, more likely to be that of anger. When animals fight or defend their 'anger' circuit is triggered and make the corresponding noises.
Note this swearing cockatoo even with emphasis on the f word;
I don't think the bird know the "f.." work has sexual connotations, but it definitely has a verbal structure that suit its expression of anger and the neural connectivity.

-- Updated Sun Apr 30, 2017 12:28 am to add the following --

Note in cases of Tourette and Asperger Syndrome.
These patients are vulnerable to involuntary compulsive swearing of various degrees.

I believe in these cases the neurons of the anger circuit are triggered and the algorithms simply associated the right words with the right verbal structure and spontaneously express them verbally. More often the expressed words are swear words which are appropriate to express anger [unconsciously in this case].
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Re: Why do people swear so much?

Post by Moreno »

LuckyR wrote: Lastly, to me swearing routinely does two things, one is that routine use dilutes the power of the words to the point of comedy, second frankly it makes the swearer look somewhere between idiotic (can't express oneself with their vocabulary) and low class, when viewed in mixed company.
'It makes the swearer look...' to you, or to a certain group. There are cultures and subcultures which have a higher tolerance, validation of swearing than others. Further, over time, many cultures have become more accepting of swearing as a part of expressive language. I have my own biases where I get annoyed at swearing overuse, but these parallel any type of communication that is steeped in habit, where certain cliches, for example, are used over and over, or people say 'like' too much. I can get just as annoyed at people who overuse ornate vocabulary when simpler more direct speech or writing would be appropriate. To me the litmus test is how effective is the communication, given the goals of the speaker writer. And in certain situations I will use a lot of swear words: stubbing my toe can call up a torrent.
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Re: Why do people swear so much?

Post by LuckyR »

Moreno wrote:
LuckyR wrote: Lastly, to me swearing routinely does two things, one is that routine use dilutes the power of the words to the point of comedy, second frankly it makes the swearer look somewhere between idiotic (can't express oneself with their vocabulary) and low class, when viewed in mixed company.
'It makes the swearer look...' to you, or to a certain group. There are cultures and subcultures which have a higher tolerance, validation of swearing than others. Further, over time, many cultures have become more accepting of swearing as a part of expressive language. I have my own biases where I get annoyed at swearing overuse, but these parallel any type of communication that is steeped in habit, where certain cliches, for example, are used over and over, or people say 'like' too much. I can get just as annoyed at people who overuse ornate vocabulary when simpler more direct speech or writing would be appropriate. To me the litmus test is how effective is the communication, given the goals of the speaker writer. And in certain situations I will use a lot of swear words: stubbing my toe can call up a torrent.
Since you kept my stipulation of: "... in mixed company", I assume you are in agreement with me. I am in agreement with you that the overuse of "like" is more similar than different, even though "like" isn't a swear word.
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Re: Why do people swear so much?

Post by Spectrum »

Moreno wrote:
LuckyR wrote: Lastly, to me swearing routinely does two things, one is that routine use dilutes the power of the words to the point of comedy, second frankly it makes the swearer look somewhere between idiotic (can't express oneself with their vocabulary) and low class, when viewed in mixed company.
'It makes the swearer look...' to you, or to a certain group. There are cultures and subcultures which have a higher tolerance, validation of swearing than others. Further, over time, many cultures have become more accepting of swearing as a part of expressive language. I have my own biases where I get annoyed at swearing overuse, but these parallel any type of communication that is steeped in habit, where certain cliches, for example, are used over and over, or people say 'like' too much. I can get just as annoyed at people who overuse ornate vocabulary when simpler more direct speech or writing would be appropriate. To me the litmus test is how effective is the communication, given the goals of the speaker writer. And in certain situations I will use a lot of swear words: stubbing my toe can call up a torrent.
I agree with LuckyR swearing is low class and should classified as so.

Just like smoking was, many have been brainwashed by the media and movies that swearing is 'classy' or the "in-thing" because many celebrities do that in the movies. Such thinking has facilitated the acceptance of swearing as part of life in many cultures and this has become a habit to many.

However what is overlooked is the very poisonous [emotional] element in swearing. As I had stated in the earlier post, swearing is an expression of anger. Basically those who swear spontaneously [not as a habit] has bad anger management abilities.
Every time that is an expression of the anger emotion, the relevant neuro-transmitters and other relevant chemicals are introduced into the blood and other system together with all sort of preparation for fight or flight.

Now the above chemical, etc. are triggered in the person who is stirred to anger, but it also effect the other persons where anger is targeted at and those [pro or neutral] who are nearby within listening distance.

In an anger situation, the chemicals are supposed to be used up for fight or flight, but if they are not used up, then they become poisonous and are dangerous to the person[s]. This is especially with the neuro-transmitter cortisol, the stress hormone, adrenaline, etc.

In a swearing [expressing anger -real or pseudo] situation, the instinctive and accompanying chemicals are not used up [e.g. fight or flight] and thus they become poisonous to the system. Thus all people exposed to the swear word and its tone will be somehow poisoned to some degree instinctively.

It is well understood and known that words with certain tone will trigger instinctively reactions. Just try shouting 'FIRE' [with a feeling of terrible fright] in a cinema and see what happened?

There is no serious issue [but getting it under control is preferable] with people getting angry necessarily or instinctively under certain conditions and expressing it in various ways. But expressing anger in terms of swearing habitually as an 'industry' and "in-thing" that is a problem.

Therefore the person who swear [habitually] is spreading chemical poisons [via instincts] in various degrees to all who are within effective listening distance or contact [movies, media, etc.]. Think about it!
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