One of the concepts from the reading that stood out to me was the concept of narrative. In chapter two of Communication Ethics Literacy: Dialogue & Difference, Arnett defines narrative in the most basic sense as, “a story agreed upon by a group of people” (Arnett, 36). When looking at narrative alongside communication ethics they expand the definition to state, “A narrative provides guidelines for human action… and is working rhetorically to protect and promote a given sense of the good”(Arnett, 36). Communication ethics is then seen as living within a narrative and carrying on the ideas and practices from that narrative.
One example of competing narratives that I see a lot of, especially this time of year, has to do with politics. I tend to see each politician create a narrative around themselves of what they believe to be good. Then I see competing narratives being created by their opponents of how they are not as good as they may claim to be. To create a narrative it doesn't matter which side is right or more true it only matters whether or not people believe and agree with it.
Blog Response 1
ReplyDeleteI also find Arnett's definition of narrative very interesting. Although narrative gives people guidelines for action, I still ponder the reasons and ways that people gain these ethics. Is it the people that raised them or the place that they grew up? It would be very interesting to figure out what the best reason is behind people choosing narratives. I would also like to state how interesting it is to me how people create different forms of communication to engage people to change their narratives.
Your example is intriguing to me and something I see a lot of as well. I would say I most often see narrative in politics in my everyday life. Many commercials and messages that I see are so childish I find it hard to engage with any political narrative in politics. It seems that politicians can say whatever they want these days just to gain support from people who associate themselves with a particular party.
I would like to add to your post that we often see people's narratives come out in modern world issues like climate change and mental health. It is crazy to me that some people have narratives that these problems don't exist. What is even more surprising to me is that some people have no narrative to help solve these problems which I see as a major threat to the health of our world and people.