Semantics

"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in a rather scornful tone,"
it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less."
"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many things."
"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master -- that's all." .
Lewis Carroll – Alice in Wonderland

This page has been included in order to clarify points that have arisen regarding the interpretation of the words used in these documents, most notably the Consensus Essentia.

However, first some comments on the name of the party.

The word 'Consensus' is used in its Latin form, rather than the normal English interpretation. Hence it does not mean a kind of general agreement and compromise but is more akin in meaning to 'contract' or 'pact'. Also, the Latin is rather butchered especially in its pronunciation. For example, 'principia' is with a soft 'c', not a hard one as in standard Latin. This is purely to make it sound more like the English, French, German etc derivatives of the word. It is because Latin is a pan-European language that the word 'Consensus' has been chosen.

Hence the two major sections of meta-policy are the Consensus Principia (the principles underlying the contract) and the Consensus Essentia (the essence of the contract).

Several people have commented about the 'religious' nature of the party. This impression has arisen because certain words have been used quite deliberately, most especially 'spirit' and 'sacred' in the Essentia. Clarification here is quite important because part of the membership requirement is to swear an Oath to uphold the Consensus Essentia in letter and spirit. For the record, how an individual interprets those words are up to them.

To take a dictionary definition of 'spirit' we have:

The vital principle or animating force within living beings.
Incorporeal consciousness.
The soul, considered as departing from the body of a person at death.

• Spirit
  The Holy Spirit.

• A supernatural being, as:
  An angel or a demon.
  A being inhabiting or embodying a particular place, object, or natural phenomenon.
  A fairy or sprite.
  The part of a human associated with the mind, will, and feelings: Though unable to join us today, they are with us in spirit.
  The essential nature of a person or group.

• A person as characterized by a stated quality: He is a proud spirit.
  An inclination or tendency of a specified kind: Her actions show a generous spirit.
  A causative, activating, or essential principle: The couple's engagement was announced in a joyous spirit.

• Spirits
  A mood or an emotional state: The guests were in high spirits. His sour spirits put a damper on the gathering.
  A particular mood or an emotional state characterized by vigor and animation: sang with spirit.
  Strong loyalty or dedication: team spirit.
  The predominant mood of an occasion or a period: “The spirit of 1776 is not dead” (Thomas Jefferson).
  The actual though unstated sense or significance of something: the spirit of the law.

One may, for example, take a completely religious approach where 'spirit' is defined as the supernatural element, or one may take it simply as being 'a causative, activating, or essential principle'. Similarly, when we say that the Earth is held 'sacred' we can once more delve into the dictionary and come up with:

• Dedicated to or set apart for the worship of a deity.
  Worthy of religious veneration: the sacred teachings of the Buddha.
  Made or declared holy: sacred bread and wine.
  Dedicated or devoted exclusively to a single use, purpose, or person: sacred to the memory of her sister; a private office sacred to the President.
  Worthy of respect; venerable.
  Of or relating to religious objects, rites, or practices.

Again, one may consider Earth as a deity for example, or one may simply interpret it as meaning that Earth should be held worthy of respect. One might also note that the root of the word 'holy' means 'whole' or 'entire'. Personally, my feelings (Dirk Bruere) in regard to the Earth are those of veneration - 'commanding respect by virtue of age, dignity, character, or position' and reverence - 'A feeling of profound awe and respect and often love'.

Essentially, there must be room within the party for both people of general non-dogmatic religious inclination as well as atheists, hence the interpretation is left to the individual and their own conscience.

© The Consensus 2002