The idea of a proposal

THE Latin word ‘proponere’ evolved  into propone (Middle English) and propound put forward a theory), subsequently becoming the ‘proposition’, the central  idea in a sentence. A small change of one vowel made this word the dominant player in sentences while the ‘preposition’ continued to connect nouns and pronouns to objects. 

Advertisement

Propositions and prepositions operate in the orbit of language. Imagine a small elliptical circle moving along, bound by direction and time, and intersecting with life. This elliptical movement of the preposition paves the road upon which ideas will traverse. How does the proposition move on this track? An idea or a concept situated somewhere along this elliptical pathway, will revolve on its own axis. The trajectory of the proposition can be smooth, unstable or continuously bumpy.

 Propositions generate their own kinetic energy and need to be fairly muscular to hold up the skeletal systems of thought and make them move through language and chart out long journeys through history and through life. “The proposition (hypothesis) that liberty, equality and fraternity are values common to all humans has continued to resonate since its inception during the French Revolution.”

A proposition is an assertion expressing a perspective or an opinion. Gandhiji propounded the very insightful concept of non-violence. He tried to live out this proposition and hoped it would illuminate our thought processes. The absence of violence in everyday lives is a great proposition. ‘Imagine’ if people were kinder to each other and to animals and birds and trees and treated non-living things and objects with greater care, wouldn’t it make for astounding possibilities?

It is quite difficult to ‘imagine’ a harmonious world without countries as Lennon did. It is a far more difficult but essential proposition to ensure that peace prevails. Words synonymous with proposition in this instance would be concept, idea, theory, premise, aspiration.

 Although propositions are usually identified as ‘truth bearers’, they can also prove to be false. The official   announcement that the largest ever turnout was witnessed at Trump’s inaugural is an example of a false proposition. Its falsity is corroborated by empirical evidence in the form of extant data collected from previous presidential inaugurals. Often enough, false propositions, when discovered early on, lead to a loss of hope.

However, some propositions take far more time to be understood as false. For instance, look at the proposition offered to women and children: ‘When it is dark, it becomes very dangerous.’ Darkness  as in night time is never the reason for danger. A false association has been set up.

A detailed scheme or a plan of action relating to work or business is also a proposition. Words synonymous with proposition in this context would be proposal, project, scheme, programme, manifesto and recommendation. “We need ethical ‘business propositions’ to ensure that people at the grassroots benefit from the transaction.”

A ‘sexual proposition’ involves asking for sexual favours and more often than not, as the movie Pink showed us, such propositions could turn out to be unsavoury.

Propositions also work as verbs. Promising college graduates are ‘propositioned’ (verb; made a job offer) by placement companies. “On being ‘propositioned’ by a senior colleague at the party, she decided to leave.” The above usage indicates indecent or inappropriate overtures. Like every other word that has been around for a long time, ‘propositions’ operate acrosss an entire spectrum of value.