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Glite Dictionary
Janus perspective

Janus perspective

9.9
Seeing a situation from two opposite sides
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒeɪnəs pərˈspɛktɪv/
translation icon : perspectiva de Jano
  • Many historians apply a Janus perspective when analyzing events from both the winners' and losers' points of view.

Examples

  • Her Janus perspective helped the team appreciate both the risks and opportunities in the proposal.

  • Debate participants were encouraged to adopt a Janus perspective to better understand the complexity of the issue.

  • The Janus perspective is fascinating.

  • Can you explain the Janus perspective in more detail?

  • During the negotiation, the team took a Janus perspective to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

  • To truly grasp the conflict, it is essential to have a Janus perspective, considering both sides of the argument.

  • Using a Janus perspective, the analyst was able to present a balanced view of the economic implications from different stakeholders.

How Two-Sided

Janus perspective
9.9
one side
66 3.0

Surface Forms

Janus perspective singular
Janus perspectives plural

Morphology

Janus + perspective

The meaning 'viewing a situation from two opposing or contrasting viewpoints' follows directly from combining 'Janus' (the two-faced Roman god) with 'perspective' (a viewpoint). The two-faced property of Janus composes transparently with 'perspective', so a learner who knows both constituent meanings can infer the MWE's sense.

Etymology

Janus perspective comes from Janus, an old Roman god shown with two faces, one looking forward and one looking back. That's why Janus perspective means looking at a situation from 'two opposing viewpoints'.