Benign neglect is a term that is often used in various contexts, ranging from politics to medicine. It refers to a situation where a person or an organization chooses to ignore a problem or an issue, hoping that it will eventually resolve itself without any intervention. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of benign neglect, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
Benign neglect can be defined as a policy of non-intervention or passive neglect. It is a situation where a person or an organization chooses to ignore a problem or an issue, hoping that it will eventually resolve itself without any intervention.
In politics, benign neglect refers to a policy of intentionally ignoring a particular group or issue, often with the belief that it will eventually go away on its own. In medicine, benign neglect refers to a situation where a doctor chooses not to treat a minor medical issue, believing that it will resolve itself without any intervention.
Origin
The term benign neglect was first used in the context of politics in the 1970s. It was used to describe the policy of the British government towards its American colonies in the 18th century. The British government believed that the colonies would eventually become self-sufficient and did not intervene in their affairs. This policy of benign neglect ultimately led to the American Revolution.
Meaning in different dictionaries
In the Oxford English Dictionary, benign neglect is defined as “a policy of non-intervention or passive neglect, especially as a political strategy.”
In Merriam-Webster, benign neglect is defined as “an attitude or policy of ignoring an often delicate or undesirable situation that one is held to be responsible for dealing with.”
Associations
Benign neglect is often associated with the idea of laissez-faire, which is a French term that means “let it be.” Laissez-faire is a policy of non-intervention in economic affairs, where the government allows the market to regulate itself.
Benign neglect is also associated with the concept of inaction bias, which is a tendency to prefer inaction over action, even when action is necessary.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of benign neglect include indifference, neglect, disregard, apathy, and non-intervention.
Antonyms
Some antonyms of benign neglect include intervention, action, involvement, engagement, and concern.
The same root words
The word benign comes from the Latin word benignus, which means kind or gentle. The word neglect comes from the Latin word neglegere, which means to disregard or ignore.
Example Sentences
- The government’s policy of benign neglect towards the environment has led to a worsening of the climate crisis.
- The doctor’s decision to practice benign neglect with my minor injury turned out to be the right one, as it healed on its own.
- The company’s policy of benign neglect towards its employees has led to low morale and high turnover.
- The coach’s policy of benign neglect towards his star player’s behavior ultimately led to the player’s dismissal from the team.