communication

definition of taxative

The term taxative comes from the Latin, specifically from taxatum, which means assessment or limitation. In its etymological origin it also indicates that something is subject to particular circumstances. Its original meaning is present in two areas: in law and in cultured language.

In law

To understand the concept of taxative, it is necessary to start from a general distinction: the rules that do not contemplate any type of pact or contrary agreement (which would be what is known as taxative law and in Roman law the expression Ius cogen is used) and those norms in which an interpretation is possible and also the opposing parties can reach some type of agreement (in this case we would speak of device law or Ius disponunt). Thus, the exhaustive law refers to the laws or regulations that are part of public law, the legal field in which no type of particular agreement is contemplated, since it is general laws and their application must be unique and without any margin. for interpretation.

Taxative versus relative

Taxative or taxative is an adjective that we could consider as cult, since in ordinary language it is hardly used. In fact, there are synonymous terms that convey the same idea and are more common (for example, precise, conclusive, or exact).

Something is considered as restrictive when it is not debatable. Let's imagine the following situation: there is a sign that says "please, do not step on the grass" and a hundred meters away there is another sign where you can read "prohibited to step on the grass". If someone looks at the first of the posters, they may think that it is a suggestion or a recommendation, but reading the second poster makes things clearer, since the message is exhaustive, that is, resounding, clear and unequivocal.

Sometimes it is said that someone acted or spoke exhaustively. These types of statements communicate that the actions or words are forceful and energetic. We also have to bear in mind that exhaustive is used as the opposite of opinionable. In this way, there are statements on which we can give our own interpretation or opinion. However, ideas are sometimes communicated that are so obvious and precise that it is unreasonable to comment on them.

If I say "we must respect the laws" it is very difficult to have a contrary opinion, since it is a categorical and widely shared idea. In fact, if someone said otherwise, they would be proposing that the breach of the laws, something that is opposed to what we know as common sense.

Photos: iStock - mihailomilovanovic / DNY59

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