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Glossary For This Web Site

Introduction

By default, the meaning of the words I use is the one defined in the current version of the Webster. This glossary is therefore only for exceptions:

- a few neologisms I feel forced to use, to improve the language (this is mostly on the French side of the web site);
- words that are in the dictionary, but that are not normally used with the precise meaning that interests me;
- Latin expressions;
- etc.

Abusus non tollit usum

"The fact something can be improperly used, is not the proof that such a thing is inherently evil", in Latin.

Belief

See 100% of all religions are false (± 1%)

Bonum ex integra causa, malum ex quolibet defectu

Good requires the integrity of the elements; evil comes from any shortcoming. For example, for a car to be bad, it doesn't need to have a broken engine AND have a wheel fall off AND bad brakes. Just one of these defects is enough. And of course, the same car can have many defects all at once! See also [Summa Theologica, Ia-IIae, q. 18, a. 4, ad. 3].

Ceteris paribus

"All else being equal" in Latin. Science is impossible without "ceteris paribus", otherwise you end up comparing apples with oranges. See here, here, etc.

EMP

The acronym EMP means Electromagnetic Pulse. EMPs can destroy microelectronic devices inside computers, cellular telephones, electronic ignition systems in cars, etc. EMPs are produced during nuclear explosions (a single nuclear bomb, at the right altitude and the right kilotonnage, could apparently destroy most microelectronic devices in North America), and also by solar storms (called "Carrington events" because of the solar super-storm of 1859).

Heman

Man of the male sex, as opposed to "woman". (SJJ neologism. See Legal Consideration #15.)

In necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas

According to Wikipedia: "unity in necessary things; liberty in doubtful things; charity in all things".

Opinion

See 100% of all religions are false (± 1%)

SHTF

Acronym meaning "a big disaster": earthquake, tornado, famine, civil war, flood, drought, economic crisis, etc.

Solidarity, Principle of

See "Subsidiarity, Principle of".

Subsidiarity, Principle of

Autority must be "decentralized" to "inferior" societies when appropriate. Opposite of "Solidarity, Principle of". (See The Principles Of Solidarity And Subsidiarity.)

 

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