There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
Language is a weapon of politicians, but language is a weapon in much of human affairs.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Language is a powerful tool that can be used to manipulate and influence people in various situations.
In this quote, Noam Chomsky emphasizes the dual nature of language as both a means of political persuasion and a universal tool in human interactions. He suggests that language possesses the ability to shape opinions, emotions, and social dynamics, thereby playing a critical role in various fields beyond politics, highlighting its significance in communication and human affairs.
Themes
LanguagePoliticsCommunicationInfluencePower
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about political rhetoric, one might say, 'As Noam Chomsky puts it, language is a weapon of politicians.'
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There is still much debate about whether torture has been effective in eliciting information - the assumption being, apparently, that if it is effective, then it may be justified.
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