Quote:
Originally Posted by tame_deuces
Polemic means a contrary, often controversial, rhetoric. Any dictionary or encyclopedia will give you a definition to that effect. So, again: You were wrong, you're still wrong and your refusal to admit it is just embarrassing.
False. This has been explained to you above. First, in the context of use, my argument was directly contrary to that of Zeno's, so even under your prescriptivist approach, 'polemic' and 'argument' are interchangeable in the circumstance at hand.
Secondly, 'polemic' and 'argument' are generally interchangeable, notwithstanding the more specialized definition. The reason for this is because an 'argument', when responding to a position, is often contentious, especially on online forums. Thus, the two are generally interchangeable because the responsive position is contrary to that of the respondee. Allow me to define 'argument' for you to make this clearer:
Dictionary.com
Quote:
an oral disagreement; verbal opposition; contention; altercation:
OxfordDictionaries.com:
Quote:
An exchange of diverging or opposite views, typically a heated or angry one.
The adverseness and aggressiveness present in 'polemic' is part and parcel of the general definition of 'argument', thus, if the context of use is appropriate, the two are interchangeable. Here, my position against Zeno is directly adverse, therefore, I can describe it as either a 'polemic' or an 'argument'.
You're wrong, just like you were wrong in your misinterpretation of my response to Zeno when you introduced poetic license into the discussion. Attempting to deflect from this with prescriptivism isn't working too well.
Last edited by Lychon; 03-12-2017 at 07:45 PM.