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If we use the punching metaphor, in either case one is committing an act of "violence", which I think most people would acede is negative at least in the large

• openknot 5y ago
  Violence has different definitions, according to the Oxford English Dictionary [0]. One is: "1. a. The deliberate exercise of physical force against a person, property, etc.; physically violent behaviour or treatment; (Law) the unlawful exercise of physical force, intimidation by the exhibition of such force." Another definition is: "4. Vehemence or intensity of emotion, behaviour, or language; extreme fervour; passion." That the first definition is inherently negative is a separate philosophical discussion (as quick counter-examples where violence may not be negative, consider the violence of a fencing or martial arts match). However, it is clear that "punching up" in this case refers to definition four. I believe that most would agree that intensity of emotion or language is not inherently or necessarily a negative behaviour. [0] Current quoted version is paywalled, but older 1989 edition for reference (may have differences from the quoted version): https://www.oed.com/oed2/00277885 https://www.oed.com/oed2/00277885