Reading the beginning of the book, communication ethics is defined as the philosophical study of morality. Understanding communication ethics properly we need to make decisions about the right course in the context of life. One of the main principles of communication ethics is learning. Being able to learn about certain goods that have been brought up in our own and others lives. These goods maybe considered good to us but not to others. Along with goods that others will consider correct and we will dispute. This is where learning steps in when we cannot agree on a universal good. Hence learning trumps telling and telling is not considered dialogue. Reading through the chapter, dialogue rejects the demand for the norm and invites learning. We need to protect and promote the good that we believe in. As well as being open to learn about other goods that has not been been brought up in our lives.
When I first started my first day of college the first thing my adviser told me was that eighty percent of achieving anything in life is by showing up. This holds true in this class of communication ethics. Absence hurts learning but not only in the physical world but within the learning process as well. Absence does not allow us to give reflection on what is being discussed. Aristotle stressed that we need to be able to reflect to identify the amount of good needed for certain moments and situations.
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ReplyDeleteI agree completely when you discussed universal good and when others within a conversations not always having consensus, learning can be a great attribute to understanding the needs of the other person. It goes back to the process of protecting and promoting the common good in situations as that. The book states, “ first communicative gesture of communication ethics as learning before telling” (Arnett, Pg. 5). I think this is a great example of your concept, we have to learn from the other person because our word will have meaning to them.
ReplyDeleteEveryone must be responsible for determining their responsibility in a conversation and maintaining a sense of 'good' that is a common standard between two people, no matter the values they hold. I like your story about college. Absence shows the lack of consideration and value between the conversation and values that might have been set as a standard. Thanks for sharing your story.