Part 1
In reading Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, I find it interesting to read about Human Nature Perspectives and Dialogical Perspectives. It also interests me reading Kant’s Categorical Imperative and Aristotle’s Human Rational Capacity.
Human Nature Perspectives is focused on what makes human the way they are. Humans possess certain characteristics that make them unique. These characteristics can be enhanced in order to promote maximum potential of the person. Human attributes can be utilized to evaluate the communication ethics notwithstanding culture, religion, situation, and type of government. Dialogical Perspectives is focused on the concept of dialogue. Dialogue can take place in a public arena in the form of a debate. In other fields such as religion, psychology, and psychiatry, dialogue is considered as a form of communication in which individuals involved exchange conversations and insights.
Kant’s Categorical Imperative discusses the distinction between action and inaction and knowing which acts are good and acts that are evil. Kant was using the word imperative in the sense that it refers to any proposition that necessitates a certain action or inaction. Categorical imperative therefore represents an absolute, unconditional requirement, which proclaims applicability in all circumstance. According to the categorical imperative, a person’s act is moral is it abides by this principle. If a person upon violating this rule creates another law to support his or her actions then that person is in complete violation of this rule and therefore deemed as immoral. Another maxim of categorical imperative is that people should not be using other rational beings as means to get what they want. In Human Rational Capacity, Aristotle emphasizes the use of reason as a distinct human attribute. A genuine human act is about recognizing the reasons for an action and still freely choosing to do such act.
Part 2
Three communication pieces which I really find interesting are the speeches of John Kennedy and Martin Luther King. I also like Nike’s ad which is focused on disabled individuals.
Martin Luther King made use of his ability to communicate to persuade people. King emphasizes equality for all as well as improved situations for the black community. He also stress on the need of abolishing racial inequalities in the institution. King was intensely dissatisfied over racial discrimination and segregation. On the other hand, King is in favor of disciplined and creative protest in the absence of physical violence. I Have a Dream appeals to the community of White men to be in one with the Black community so as to eradicate discriminatory practices as well as racial prejudice. King does not want a gradual change. He would want to see massive changes right away. King wishes to attain equality in a non-violent way. He encouraged the Black people to avoid reaping hatred or use fists and guns to obtain the freedom they desire.
In Kennedy’s speech, the words used were full of vigor and activism that it became even more apparent when he focused on the goals he was about to set. In one part of his speech, Kennedy powerfully used the word absolute twice in a sentence which created a robust diction in his entire speech. He used the word absolute to refer to power and in the next phrase he used it to refer to control. Kennedy clearly understood how people feared to stand up yet he was open to tell them that he was not in any way threatened and was in fact ready to make peace negotiations.
Sources
CSPAN."President Kennedy 1961 Inaugural Address." YouTube.N.p., 14 Jan. 2009. Web. 15 June 2014. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLmiOEk59n8
Johannesen, R., Valde, K., & Whedbee, K. (2002). Ethics in human communication (6th ed.). Prospect Heights, Ill.: Waveland Press.
Kant, Immanuel. Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals. Classics Books
International. 2010. Print.
"Martin Luther King I Have a Dream Speech - American Rhetoric." Americanrhetoric.com, 2014. Web. 15 June 2014. http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm
YouTube,. (2014). Warhawk Matt Scott in Nike 'No Excuses' Commercial. Retrieved 15 June 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obdd31Q9PqA
