Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Greeks/Orator/Goodness-Truth-Public Communication
Even though I am Greek [ =) ], I don't agree with an individual having to be morally good to be an orator. I think there are perks on both sides. For instance, if a person is morally good, they will probably grab the attention of that audience as well as their trust. I also believe if someone is morally bad the audience would still want to listen because of political views and things of that nature. I think that if someone is morally good or bad it doesn't determined what type of speaker they are. Most people do break morals and standards, I am sure that everyone has at one point or another. So, I do disagree with the Greeks in that sense. However, I do believe there is a connection between goodness, truth, and public communication. In most cases in order to persuade an audience or at least get them on ones side, being a good kindhearted person as well as truthful wins almost every time. Also, when public speaking if one has this good quality about themselves a listener can most of the time hear that soft soothing tone in ones voice, and tends to listen more. Tone is extremely important when communicating. I also believe that being truthful helps justify what one is speaking about.
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I absolutely agree with you about a person not having to me "morally good" for them to be a persuasive speaker. In my post, I used the example of Charles Manson as a speaker who was persuasive, but by no means considered a good person. Someone can talk up, down, sideways, or inside out about saving puppies and world peace, but behind closed doors? How do we know they aren't a raving lunatic?
ReplyDeleteWe like to think that being truthful automatically means that someone will be good. Yet someone can be truthful for just about anything....but it's that "just about" that can ruin them in the eyes of society.
I agree with the first part about not having to be a good person to be a great orator, but i strongly disagree about how there is a connection between goodness, truth, and public communication. Just because someone has the ability to persuade people, doesn't mean they will use this power for good. The person in question could be using their gift as a communicator to settle a vendetta or for monetary gains. i wish that there was a connection between being a good person of good ethical values, but that isn't always the case. maybe i speaker could be more effective if they truly believed in what they are saying.
ReplyDeleteHi Chivista! You said, "...if a person is morally good, they will probably grab the attention of that audience as well as their trust." What is the main point of public speaking? Is it to persuade? It is the dissemination of information? If you assert that moral goodness can help to grab the attention and trust of the audience, would this be a main focus of speaking in public? Also, do you think that our society has come to expect dishonesty in a speech or presentation? If so, why do you think that is? :)
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