A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,
but the Declaration of Independence by any other name
would not be as, err, hmm, shall we say, “Declarative”

July 4th as a commemorization and celebration of the Declaration of Independence signed on July 4, 1776 has caused me to think of how important it is to be “declarative” in one’s life.

What does “declarative” mean? It’s an adjective describing someone or a communication that “declares” something. What does “declaration” mean? According to the Yahoo dictionary (whatever became of Merriam Webster?):

de·clare audio (d-klâr)

VERB: de·clared , de·clar·ing , de·clares

VERB: tr.

1. To make known formally or officially.
2. To state emphatically or authoritatively; affirm.
3. To reveal or make manifest; show.
4. To make a full statement of (dutiable goods, for example).

VERB: intr.

1. To make a declaration.
2. To proclaim one’s support, choice, opinion, or resolution

IDIOM: declare war

1. To state formally the intention to carry on armed hostilities against.
2. To state one’s intent to suppress or eradicate: declared war on drug dealing in the neighborhood.

Would the “Declaration of Independence” have communicated the same as: “Definition of Independence” or “Explanation of Independence” or “Description of Independence” or “Announcement of Independence?”

I don’t think so.

“Definition” is helpful because it can give you an idea of what independence is and what it isn’t. That alone will not get you anywhere. Think of for instance of saying: “I hereby define my independence.” The response of those around you would be either: “Either that’s nice, so what?” or “I beg to differ with you” and launch into a heated debate “full of sound and fury signifiying nothing.”

“Explanation” would be just that, i.e. an explanation of what independence is or means. It doesn’t mean that anything will come of it or that anyone will do anything with it. To me as a psychotherapist, it has the same motionless quality as the word “insight.” Insight alone doesn’t cause people to do anything. It’s the application of and taking action upon insight that makes the difference. In contemporary parlance, many people use an explanation as an excuse, which they may not appreciate if they are the one offering it. However, if you’re the one hearing them, it is patently clear that they are trying to get out of taking responsibility for something by using it.

“Description” seems even more intellectualized and “experience distant” (meaning more at arm’s distance) with the chance of action being even further removed.

“Announcement” comes pretty close to the meaning of “declaration.” An announcement seems to be more along the lines of “making known” publicly, but here again it appears more limited in time and doesn’t carry with it the intention to do something.

What does this mean for you and me? We should be informed and thoughtful in the choices we make, but once made, we need to declare them to the people around us and the world. That may be scary because it carries with it a commitment to action, but it also carries with it a “Declaration of Independence” from our inertia and passivity.