Binary opposition definition.
Binary opposition is a pair of related
terms or concepts that are opposite in meaning, for example ‘good and evil’ or ‘black
and white’. Black can be used to represent darkness, danger etc. and white can
be used to symbolise purity, goodness etc. Another binary opposite that can be
used that is less common is ‘rational vs. emotional’, in which the
rational term is usually perceived as greater and stereotypically associated
with men, while the emotional is inferior and stereotypically associated with
women. It has been suggested that one side of
the binary pair is always seen by a particular society or culture as more
valued over the other. Binary opposition is when two theoretical opposites are
strictly defined and set off against one another; it is an important concept of
structuralism, which sees such distinctions as necessary to all language and
thought. In structuralism, a
binary opposition is seen as a fundamental organiser of human philosophy,
culture, and language.
Many of society's most continuous ideas are
maintained and reinforced by their meanings and how they are created by the
workings of binary opposition. Binary
oppositions are usually very obvious opposites, ones that we most commonly come
across every day like ‘old and young’ and ‘boy and girl.’ It’s binary opposites
like that, that we have already made assumptions about and have stereotypically
emphasised points. For example youth are loud and disrespectful whereas those
who are older are sweet and innocent; these are stereotypical assumptions we
make of a binary opposite.
Written and published by Alex Horn.
Bibliography:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_opposition
- http://www.englishbiz.co.uk/extras/binaryopposition2.htm
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