vantage point

Hello everyone. How are you today?
I have a question about the expression ‘vantage point.’ Firstly, a vantage point can be the summit of a mountain from where you
have a wonderful sight of the landscape, for example. And secondly, a vantage point is a way of thinking... an opinion based on your particular situation:
From our vantage point in the 21st century, it is difficult to imagine life without computers.
Does this figurative use imply that our outlook is also privileged due to the social, political, scientific, etc, situation we are in?

I’m posting this question because I think last night I heard on the news that a politician have been involved in some dodgy businesses
taking advantage of the info he has thanks to the charge he holds.

Why do I overthink this much? 👁 Big Grin :D


Thank you all in advance.
Cheers!

I think "vantage point" is always metaphorical and never refers to the top of a mountain. (But never say never.)

I suppose that a "vantage point" usually makes it easier to come to a more profound understanding - not just easier to be a crook or a "pig at the trough" (corrupt profiteer)!

I'd say that vantage point automatically means a privileged position. It is related to an advantage - a vantage point was a position on high ground from which an army could master all the surrounding valleys. I think it is still used with that sense militarily.

I can't easily imagine a low-placed vantage point, either literally or metaphorically.

se16teddy said:

I think "vantage point" is always metaphorical and never refers to the top of a mountain. (But never say never.)

I suppose that a "vantage point" usually makes it easier to come to a more profound understanding - not just easier to be a crook or a "pig at the trough" (corrupt profiteer)!

Hey se16teddy! How are you? Thanks for your help. Thanks for the pig expression, too. I didn’t know it.
It can be the top of the mountain. It’s the first meaning appearing in Cambridge dictionary. But you never know whether it is still in use or not.
I got it. Vantage point doesn’t entail a dodgy use of that advantage that one person has. One doesn’t has to be a pit at the trough - I am going to try to memorise that one -
Thanks a lot 👁 Wink ;)

Keith Bradford said:

I'd say that vantage point automatically means a privileged position. It is related to an advantage - a vantage point was a position on high ground from which an army could master all the surrounding valleys. I think it is still used with that sense militarily.

I can't easily imagine a low-placed vantage point, either literally or metaphorically.

Hi Keith Bradford! How’s it going? Thanks for you input, too. The military use of the expression that you described is going to make it easier for me to fix and grasp its meaning.
Thank you very much.

Thanks to you both.
Have a good weekend👁 Smile :)