People are storytelling animals z Walter Fisher Narrative
- Slides: 6
People are storytelling animals. z Walter Fisher Narrative Paradigm
z Narration § Symbolic actions--words/deeds--that have sequence and meaning for those who live, create, or interpret them § Rooted in time and space § Covers every aspect of life with regard to character, motive, and action § Verbal and nonverbal messages
z Paradigm Shift: from Rational to Narrative § Rational-world § People are rational § Make decisions based on argument § Speaking situation determines course of argument § World is set of logical puzzles we can solve through rational analysis § Narrative § People are storytellers § Make decisions on basis of good reason, which vary depending on the communication situation, media, and genre § History, biography, culture and character determine “good reasons” § Rationality determined by coherence and fidelity of stories § World is set of stories from which we choose and constantly recreate our lives
z § Narrative Coherence § Does the story hang together? Is it probable to the hearer? § Can be assessed by comparing a story to others with a similar theme § Ultimate test: Can we count on characters to act in a reliable manner? Coherence & Fidelity § Narrative Fidelity § Does the story ring true and humane? § Does the story square with the hearer’s experiences? § Story has fidelity when it provides good reasons to guide future actions § Logic of Good Reasons
z Logic of Good Reasons § We are concerned with: § 1. Values embedded in the message § 2. The relevance of those values to decisions made § 3. Consequence of adhering to those values § 4. The overlap with the worldview of the audience § 5. Conformity with what the audience members believe is “an ideal basis for conduct” But what specific values guide us as we gauge a story’s truth or fidelity?
z Ideal Audience § An actual community existing over time that believes in the values of truth, the good, beauty, health, wisdom, courage, temperance, justice, harmony, order, communion, friendship, and oneness with the cosmos.
