In my quest for better big words, I am interested in the following: theory, justice, compassion, and of course, environment. I turn to the Oxford English Dictionary for help in defining these giant words to begin the process of thinking through them
Theory: The conceptual basis of a subject or area of study. Contrasted with practice. Related to speculation, contemplation, vision; methodological intellectual construct; abstract as opposed to empirical
Justice: Administration of law or equity, maintenance of what is just or right by the exercise of authority or power; assignment of deserved reward or punishment; giving of due deserts (so much about retribution, punishment, suffering as a punishment for causing suffering- negative)
Compassion: Suffering together with another, participation in suffering; fellow-feeling, sympathy; to have pity
Environment: Circumnavigating, encompassing, or surrounding something; the state of being encompassed or surrounded; the area surrounding a place or thing; the environs, surroundings, or physical context
Of course, these definitions are not the only definitions out there, but the specific versions that I choose to wrap my head and argument around. In doing so, I am taking a certain amount of agency in my use of language. I am staking out my territory and defining for my audience a broad scope under which to interpret my language.
What I’m finding is that its very difficult to talk about big words without using other big words as example or justification. Words take you down a hall of mirrors where all words are defined by other words, an unending hallway of representation through language. Of course, there could be words that are defined by symbols and are better understood through experience, image, sensation, numbers, or something other than words on the page.
However, in trying to actually apply the act of doing theory in this project, I will continue to use language. I will accept that my medium is chiefly words and that words can offer the most nuanced and clear representation of my thoughts. In a rigorous analysis of the words “theory” I will take other words such as place or academia somewhat (although not entirely) for granted, as many of the words I will employ merit their own interrogation.