That's interesting, I was basing my thoughts on how the words "Bias" and "Prejudice" are used in the modern setting. It seem that, yes, the dictionary does have them as synonomous words. When being used externally (toward another) one may used bias and prejudice interchangeably. However the clear difference as to the two word's distinct flavor comes from the 'bias' one has when using it on the self.
How often have you heard someone go "But maybe I'm a bit prejudiced."
The answer? You wouldn't. They would prefer to say "But maybe I'm a little bit biased"
Why? Bias is seen as something everyone has and is relatively harmless. The term prejudiced, however, seems to stem a whole bunch of the extremely negatives forms of bias such as racism.
Dictionaries are all and good, but they are a picture of a living organism. Etymology books are like a photo album. Neither, though, predict the future of words. In the future, I feel "Prejudice" may be defined as "extreme negative bias" and become two completely separate words.
While the second definition says that it can be favorable or unfavorable, the remaining definitions clearly have a negative tinge about the word prejudice.
Language is a tricky thing, as words have feelings that people may or may not be aware of.
That's interesting, I was basing my thoughts on how the words "Bias" and "Prejudice" are used in the modern setting. It seem that, yes, the dictionary does have them as synonomous words. When being used externally (toward another) one may used bias and prejudice interchangeably. However the clear difference as to the two word's distinct flavor comes from the 'bias' one has when using it on the self.
How often have you heard someone go "But maybe I'm a bit prejudiced."
The answer? You wouldn't. They would prefer to say "But maybe I'm a little bit biased"
Why? Bias is seen as something everyone has and is relatively harmless. The term prejudiced, however, seems to stem a whole bunch of the extremely negatives forms of bias such as racism.
Dictionaries are all and good, but they are a picture of a living organism. Etymology books are like a photo album. Neither, though, predict the future of words. In the future, I feel "Prejudice" may be defined as "extreme negative bias" and become two completely separate words.
I mean even the dictionaries are "biased" against "prejudice" http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/prejudice
While the second definition says that it can be favorable or unfavorable, the remaining definitions clearly have a negative tinge about the word prejudice.
Language is a tricky thing, as words have feelings that people may or may not be aware of.