Is refering to someone as down to earth basically a polite way of: Philosophy Forums

Page: 1 2

Is refering to someone as down to earth basically a polite way of

MakinItHappen
Initiate

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Jul 10, 2009

Total Topics: 3
Total Posts: 4

Posted 09/03/09 - 03:38 AM: Subject: Is refering to someone as down to earth basically a polite way of	#1
saying their mediocre? I've always questioned people whom refer to others as "down to earth" If the person they are describing doesn't carry any distinct personality traits or something that makes them edgy or slightly different to most by default they become "down to earth" .. in other words average ... mediocre. What do you think?

9987z
Initiate

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Apr 03, 2009

Total Topics: 0
Total Posts: 8

Posted 09/03/09 - 06:23 AM:	#2
No. I've always thought that "down to earth" referred to relations with others and how they treat them.

armchairphilosopher
Tattooed,Psychotic,Biker

Usergroup: Sponsors
Joined: Apr 18, 2003
Location: Belfast

Total Topics: 44
Total Posts: 940

Posted 09/03/09 - 06:52 AM:	#3
Not pretentious, treats all as equals, realistic expectations of people = down to earth Expects special treatment, looks down on others = not down to earth In my opinion of course, but these things are prone to regional variations and differing interpretations.
Without beginning or end, not created nor started, existing always, forever. Infinite, unmeasurable and therefore unimaginable, does this mean that infinity is a religious belief?

djluvsgod
Initiate

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Apr 14, 2009

Total Topics: 0
Total Posts: 14

Posted 09/03/09 - 04:03 PM:	#4
Down to earth simply means a person is sensible and practical, they do not have their head in the clouds as they say.

Phillip Nero
Initiate

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Sep 03, 2009

Total Topics: 0
Total Posts: 13

Posted 09/03/09 - 08:45 PM:	#5
I would think the adjective is not entirely obscure but rather lightly ambiguous, as it could mean a variety of grounded dispositions (as armchairphilosopher's first relation brought out) referring to moods here or there (peak moments) when the occasion presented itself for another person to make the claim 'S/he is down-to-earth', or it could mean a perfected human character in which 'down-to-earth' presents itself on every occasion. The modifier could refer to one instance or a general outlook, i.e. peak moment versus character. The latter may be what we are looking for, which to my understanding refers to a durable mature character; e.g. mature ego defenses such as humor or altruism and anticipation (over denial and projection), as well as delayed gratification (over immediate gratification), recognizing others (over not recognizing others), strong conscience and intuition (over weak conscience and intuition), and helping one's self before helping others (over using and/or harming others). I'm not certain of anything more yet- no one has ever asked me the meaning of 'down-to-earth'- though I would like to make the distinction between its two occasions: when it happens sporadically and when it is continuous. I call the latter 'mature character', and the former could be called a few things that just might get us into trouble.

BitterCrank
Graduate

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Mar 01, 2008
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Total Topics: 1
Total Posts: 226

Posted 09/03/09 - 10:39 PM:	#6
A person who is 'down to earth' knows how to 'put the hay down where the goats can get at it' which is a desirable and useful skill.
If you won't fan the flames of discontent, at least don't join the fire department.

DrifterOfTheSun
Aspirant

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Jun 19, 2009

Total Topics: 6
Total Posts: 31

Posted 09/03/09 - 11:34 PM:	#7
Down to earth, means Down to earth, what’s un understandable? Person is social materialist or pragmatist
Before starting an argument, do some research, it might be proven it is right/wrong

MakinItHappen
Initiate

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Jul 10, 2009

Total Topics: 3
Total Posts: 4

Posted 09/25/09 - 04:15 PM:	#8
I always interpreted it differently for whatever reason.... I see why people use the term now.

JAC
An Honest Aesthetic

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Jul 23, 2007
Location: America

Total Topics: 17
Total Posts: 289

Posted 09/26/09 - 10:40 AM:	#9
"Down to Earth" very much can be a back-handed compliment. If someone is rather dull and unassuming, and you are asked to say something positive about them, you might just say, "Well, they are very... ummm... down to Earth." That statement, in that context, basically means they don't hurt anyone and don't cause any problems. They kind of just live their life and don't do much of worth or importance. They blend in, etc. So while the phrase often is used as a compliment, it can definitely be used as a euphemism for calling some mediocre. In the same way that a female's usage of the "nice guy" phrase typically means, "I don't want to have sex with him."
"A life with love will have many thorns, but a life without love will have no roses." - Friedrich Nietzsche "I feel as if I were a piece in a game of chess, when my opponent says of it: That piece can not be moved." - Soren Kierkegaard

Desidude666
Assistant Professor

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Jun 17, 2007
Location: Singapore

Total Topics: 0
Total Posts: 334

Posted 09/27/09 - 10:39 PM:	#10
Probably a polite way of telling them that their successors might not stand a chance in the complex but competitive biological existence. It is definitely not a desired skill, or motivation and should be rectified in today's world - so that your kin may survive with the most at hand.
What you are, you are by accident of birth; what I am, I am by myself. There are and will be a thousand princes; there is only one Beethoven. - Ludwig van Beethoven

Page: 1 2

Sorry, you don't have permission to post. Log in, or register if you haven't yet.