English Language Discussion Forums

razer · #1 02-Jul-2009, 20:09

Bias against or bias towards what r the meanings of these two terms ? Is bias against mean: u r against somebody b'coz of pre set mindset and bias towards mean: u r in the favor of it ?

Would it be right to say : I have bias towards truth ? Means I'm inclined towards truth.

konungursvia · #2 03-Jul-2009, 12:53

The first part is correct. But no one would say a bias towards the truth, a bias is only in subjective matters of opinion. To claim a bias toward the truth is like claiming superior argumentation or reasoning ability, along with superior knowledge, i.e. it stifles debate and dismisses others' rights to have their opinions.

nyota · #3 03-Jul-2009, 12:55

It seems you've already got some answers ^^

Meaning of bias against or bias towards

Bias Towards/Against - WordReference Forums

razer · #4 03-Jul-2009, 19:41

"But no one would say a bias towards the truth, a bias is only in subjective matters of opinion."

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konungursvia are you 100 % sure on this ? Because another English teacher in one forum told me it "may" be correct to say that but its usage is "rare". What you and other senior member say ?

If you want I can share that link with you.

konungursvia · #5 03-Jul-2009, 21:11

It's like saying "I have a bias towards always being right, and I notice you are not as right as often as I am." Also, debates are for opinions, not facts, and no one can claim a superior opinion, or a more truthful one.

**Tdol** · #6 04-Jul-2009, 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by razer

"But no one would say a bias towards the truth, a bias is only in subjective matters of opinion."

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konungursvia are you 100 % sure on this ? Because another English teacher in one forum told me it "may" be correct to say that but its usage is "rare". What you and other senior member say ?

If you want I can share that link with you.

You are mixing two questions. Konungursvia's answer was about whether you could be biased towards truth and not whether it was a countable or uncountable noun. The teacher in the other forum was answering about whether the noun bias was countable or uncountable.

In one of your posts in the other forum I notice that you say 'uncountable singular noun', which is inaccurate; uncountable cannot be counted- we cannot say 1 or use the indefinite article with them.