Talk:Simplistic

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The adjective form of simplicity is simple. If I try for simplicity in my writing, it is in the hopes of making it simple, but certainly not simplistic.

I agree that simple should redirect to simplicity. But simplistic is not simply the corresponding adjective for simplicity. It is a misunderstood word that causes confusion. As there is nothing on the simplicity page that discusses the meaning of simplistic, this entry is needed.

Is there some reason you think redirecting it is important, Uncle G?

--Angela Harms 20:56, 10 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]

  • Meanings and usages of words such as simple and simplistic are dictionary matters, and should be discussed in the dictionary articles on those words. You are in the wrong project if such lexicography is what you want to do. Please go to the dictionary to do such things. It will welcome all of the lexicography that you have to offer. Wikipedia is not a dictionary. It is an encyclopaedia. Our articles are not about the words in their titles but about the people, places, events, things, and concepts (such as simplicity, simplification, oversimplification, and simplism) that their titles denote. I point to our Wikipedia:Naming conventions (adjectives) again. Uncle G 21:35, 10 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]
    • While I believe it's misguided, I am aware of the Wikipedia is not a dictionary policy. I have read the articles you mentioned, and I have to say that I don't agree that simplicity is any more of a "concept" than simplistic.

      I could go along with not having an entry for simplistic. What I strongly object to is having it redirect to something that is only peripherally related, like simplicity.

      What would you say to asking for a delete?

      Angela Harms 17:18, 11 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]

      • It is far from misguided. And the assertion that simplistic denotes a concept just as much as simplicity does is, quite simply, wrong. Please see our articles on nouns and adjectives, which explain this. If you want the redirect to point to something with a closer relation, rename this article to simplism and create an encyclopaedia article about that concept (if it is possible to do so). Uncle G 00:44, 12 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I removed the redirect and put in a link to wiktionary instead, since simplistic means something very different from simplicity. The fact that they sound similar is confusing to some people as it is. The last thing we want to do is confirm a misconception.

--Micah Hainline 22:03, 26 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]