Communicative Ethics and Blocked discourse How consent is

Communicative Ethics and Blocked discourse How consent is made

On communicative ethics Deetz’s “Reclaiming the subject matter” argues that we should no longer see ethical speech as a barrier to effective speech.

On communicative ethics Deetz’s “Reclaiming the subject matter” argues that we should no longer see ethical speech as a barrier to effective speech. The key is to think about collective, rather than individual goals and accomplishments.

On communicative ethics We tend to think of ethical communication as “person-centered” attempt to ensure free expression of individual views.

On communicative ethics Rather than starting with the individual person, Deetz takes an alternative approach, viewing ethical speech as a concern for the “outside— the subject matter” (228).

On Communicative Ethics

On Communicative Ethics The author claims that we should evaluate systems (rather than individuals) from an ethical standpoint, and that people with good individual intentions might nonetheless perpetuate an unethical system. (see the list of questions he poses at the bottom of 228 -229)

On communicative ethics Question: What does the author mean when he says that ethics can be a “positive” force, not merely a “speed limit” on self-interested communication?

He explains the impact of the shift from personcentered to system/collective centered ethical thinking at the bottom of 229 -230.

On communicative ethics Question: What does the author mean when he says that ethics can be a “positive” force, not merely a “speed limit” on self-interested communication? Question: How might unethical decision making ultimately be inefficient?

On communicative ethics Question: What does the author mean when he says that ethics can be a “positive” force, not merely a “speed limit” on self-interested communication? Question: How might unethical decision making ultimately be inefficient? Question: What does he mean when he says that “the command of the outside—of the subject matter” can be an ethical guide?

Genuine conversation

Genuine conversation When confronted with a great work of art, for instance, the goal is not expression individual opinions, but rather, an orientation that allows the work of art to speak.

Genuine conversation “It is not one’s own feelings and concepts that are at issue, for they are inevitably less than the work has to offer. The attempt is rather to help the other remove limitations to their own seeing so that the work may more thoroughly draw on them” (231).

Genuine Conversation “the ideal is not ‘self expression and the successful assertion of one’s point of view, but a transformation into communion, in which we do not remain what we were. ’” (231).

Genuine Conversation The ethical principle: “Every communicative act should have as its ethical condition the attempt to keep the conversation—the open development of experience—going. ” (232).

Blocked discourse

Blocked discourse • “When discussion is thwarted, a particular view of reality is maintained at the expense of equally plausible ones usually to someone’s advantage. ” (Deetz, 235)

Blocked discourse • “When discussion is thwarted, a particular view of reality is maintained at the expense of equally plausible ones usually to someone’s advantage. ” (Deetz, 235) • “…systems of domination are protected from careful exploration and political advantage is protected and extended. ”

Blocked discourse A communication theorist should note the “quiet, repetitive micro practices done for innumerable reasons which function to maintain normalized conflict-free experience and social relations. ” (235)

Blocked discourse Deetz provides six ways of “blocking” conversations that ought to happen…

Blocked discourse Deetz provides six ways of “blocking” conversations that ought to happen… 1. Disqualification 2. Naturalization 3. Neutralization 4. Topical avoidance 5. Subjectification of Experience 6. Meaning denial

Disqualification

Disqualification • Keeping important conversations from happening by denying someone’s right to speak, or denying the value of their speech

Naturalization

Naturalization • Keeping important conversations from happening by claiming that the current conditions are “Natural” or “just the way it is” or “the way we do things around here. ”

Neutralization

Neutralization • Keeping conversations from happening by claiming that the current condition is “objective” or “value-free” and that only the alternatives are “political” and “biased”

Neutralization • Keeping conversations from happening by claiming that the current condition is “objective” or “value-free” and that only the alternatives are “political” and “biased” • This hides the fact that every system is “political” and “biased”—and it protects the dominant values from scrutiny.

Topical Avoidance

Topical Avoidance • Keeping important conversations from happening by making certain topics “offlimits. ”

Subjectification of Experience

Subjectification of Experience • Keeping conversations from advancing by claiming that some position is “just my opinion” (or “just your opinion”)… and therefore not open to discussion

Subjectification of Experience • Keeping conversations from advancing by claiming that some position is “just my opinion” (or “just your opinion”)… and therefore not open to discussion • Free and open Communication would require that claims about our feelings and opinions should be the start not the end of the discussion

Meaning Denial

Meaning Denial • Keeping important conversation from happening by denying subtle or underlying meanings • This allows a person to get a message across without having to take responsibility for it

Meaning Denial • Keeping important conversation from happening by denying subtle or underlying meanings • This allows a person to get a message across without having to take responsibility for it – Many forms of discrimination and sexual harassment work this way…

Re-opening Conversation

Re-opening Conversation • Metacommunication: Talk about talk– pointing to discourse blockages and working for greater reciprocity

Re-opening Conversation • Metacommunication: Talk about talk– pointing to discourse blockages and working for greater reciprocity • Rhetoric: Directly challenging dominant meanings and interpretations

Re-opening Conversation • Metacommunication: Talk about talk– pointing to discourse blockages and working for greater reciprocity • Rhetoric: Directly challenging dominant meanings and interpretations • Strategy: Civil disobedience, disrupting systems, forcing crises