reactionary rɪˈakʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ adjective 1. opposing political or social progress or reform. "reactionary attitudes toward women's rights" synonyms: right-wing, conservative, rightist, ultra-conservative; More noun 1. a reactionary person. "he was later to become an extreme reactionary" synonyms: right-winger, conservative, rightist, diehard, Colonel Blimp; More If that's what you mean by reactionary. I agree they tend to be idiots.
I would call some reactionary who impulsively says things to a question or statement based on dogma without any consideration of what was being said. The opposite would be a circumspect person would open the statement or question to different possibilities, seek clarification and maybe ask another question. It does not mean they have to leave themselves open to being brainwashed or manipulated. This is what advertising is all about.
I agree, right wingers generally seem to have an issue with intricacy. That's why they often offer simple solutions to complex issues. It all comes down to a fear of what they don't understand. Having lived in the South all my life, this kind of mindset is nothing new to me.
Not all change necessarily represents progress or reform. If your premise is that a particular change is good, then by definition, those who oppose it are wrong-headed Maybe I've just encountered more liberals in my lifetime, but the most dogmatic people I've encountered are liberal.
I'd probably lean more towards 'emotionally disrupted'. Intelligence can be deaf and stupidity can be open(and I use the term stupidity loosely)..I feel it's the subtle sense of security held in the moment that really allows people not to kneejerk. Despite the sensation, you won't die if you're wrong, relax.
Dictionary definition. But I think you're right. It's easier maybe in retrospect to label people as reactionary in that sense. We see that progress was made or appeared to be made at a certain time or over a certain issue. Good example would be the reactions of the Cardinals who wouldn't look through Galileo's telescope. To most modern people they appear as almost the epitome of a conservative and reactionary attitude. Often the word is used in a rhetorical way by people seeking to promote their own agendas. I even do so myself from time to time.
I described myself as reactionary at times but I see I used the wrong definition then I thought reactionary just ment one who chooses to react to what others said more than start a discussion/topic themselves.... I often can't resist adding the same 2 cents to a discussion we had before if someone else is repeating themselves. If the other wouldn't I would often not have posted at all. In that sense I am literally a reactionary poster :-D I would say it depends on the details, motive, arguments etc. Of course it is easy to say someone who is against social progress is an idiot but maybe they just differ on the progressive aspect and it is arguable? To say it as a default thing (all reactionary people are lacking intellectual depth) seems to give in to the urge to simplify for convenience. Some people sound reactionary because they are impuslive, some because they are emotionally involved in the topic discussed, sometimes it is only projected onto them because they're not with you thus they must be opposing you etc. etc.
The word has a history of use by Marxists in a pejorative way against capitalists. I think that colours its use and the sense in which it's understood.I would probably only use it to describe the actions or attitudes of the far right in politics, but even then, not often. However, I do generally think that most far right people are idiots. Or at least, people with excessively narrow and restricted views and ideas. 'Reactionary' isn't really used in the sense of just reacting in the way you mean. You could be called a 'reactive' poster I think.
Since you are Australian, I will say I find the Australian political landscape to be very curious indeed Australians themselves seem to be very reactionary, boganish is the made up word I would use, reactionary in the sense that they will open their mouths without first thinking quite often And yet our politicians seem rather considered, even dull compared to many other countries in the world
I think it perhaps may be a lack of depth in consciousness. :daisy: Here is a thread of mine in this regard....
