Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2009

I can see a reason, namely if the plans in question will affect a group
of people or several groups. In that case, specifying that the answer is
to be based on the respondent's own preferences is a way of making sure
that they know that what they are being asked is not "Which plan do you
think will have the best overall result?' but "Which plan will have the
best result for you personally?" If that's the case, I'd use "Based on
your own preferences..."

Yes, that's roughly what I said, although I missed the
opportunity to use the word "otiose".

I just looked at what Wikipedia says about attraction and
found this:

"Judgment of attractiveness of physical traits is partly
universal to all human cultures, partly dependent on culture or
society or time period, and partly a matter of individual
subjective preference.[citation needed]"

Perhaps this questionnaire is urging people to choose according
to their individual subjective preference rather than their
universal instinct or their sociocultural conditioning?

James

That's too black-and-white. A person can wear many hats at once, and
have different preferences according to the role from which the matter
in question is seen. Personal versus professional is an obvious area
ripe for conflict; what I'd prefer, and what my employers need of me,
may be two very different things. Other common opportunities for
dichotmies of opinion are between my personal prefences and those in
my role as a parent or a spouse.

(WS Gilbert, as so often, took it to the extreme:

Ko-Ko: Pooh-Bah, it seems that the festivities in connection with my
approaching marriage must last a week. I should like to do it
handsomely, and I want to consult you as to the amount I ought to
spend upon them.

Pooh-Bah: Certainly. In which of my capacities? As First Lord of the
Treasury, Lord Chamberlain, Attorney General, Chancellor of the
Exchequer, Privy Purse, or Private Secretary?

Ko-Ko: Suppose we say as Private Secretary.

Pooh-Bah: Speaking as your Private Secretary, I should say that, as
the city will have to pay for it, don't stint yourself, do it well.

Ko-Ko: Exactly - as the city will have to pay for it. That is your
advice.

Pooh-Bah:. As Private Secretary. Of course you will understand that,
as Chancellor of the Exchequer, I am bound to see that due economy is
observed.

Ko-Ko: Oh! But you said just now "Don't stint yourself, do it well".

Pooh-Bah: As Private Secretary.

Ko-Ko: And now you say that due economy must be observed.

Pooh-Bah. As Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Ko-Ko:. I see. Come over here, where the Chancellor can't hear us.
(They cross the stage.) Now, as my Solicitor, how do you advise me to
deal with this difficulty?

Pooh-Bah: Oh, as your Solicitor, I should have no hesitation in saying
"Chance it -"

Ko-Ko: Thank you. (Shaking his hand.) I will.

Pooh-Bah: If it were not that, as Lord Chief Justice, I am bound to
see that the law isn't violated.

Ko-Ko:. I see. Come over here where the Chief Justice can't hear us.
(They cross the stage.) Now, then, as First Lord of the Treasury?

Pooh-Bah:. Of course, as First Lord of the Treasury, I could propose a
special vote that would cover all expenses, if it were not that, as
Leader of the Opposition, it would be my duty to resist it, tooth and
nail. Or, as Paymaster General, I could so cook the accounts that, as
Lord High Auditor, I should never discover the fraud. But then, as
Archbishop of Titipu, it would be my duty to denounce my dishonesty
and give myself into my own custody as first Commissioner of Police.

Ko-Ko: That's extremely awkward.

Pooh-Bah. I don't say that all these distinguished people couldn't be
squared; but it is right to tell you that they wouldn't be
sufficiently degraded in their own estimation unless they were
insulted with a very considerable bribe.)

Cheers - Ian

We'll get nowhere if respondents answer a question with another
question.

We can.

"Which is the most attractive plan?" I think really could be read as
"Which plan is likely to attract the most people?"  "Which plan is the
most attractive to you?" solves that.

--
Jerry Friedman