Philosopher Emmanuel Levinas's ethics as first philosophy explicates a human obligation and responsibility to and for the Other that is an unending and an imperfect commitment. In Levinas's Rhetorical Demand, Ronald C. Arnett underscores the profundity of Levinas's insights for communication ethics.
The purpose of this collection is to overview key figures whose work assists our understanding of the development and influence of communication ethics.
Renowned in political theory and philosophy, Hannah Arendt’s critiques of modernity resonate across various fields decades later. In this groundbreaking examination, Ronald C. Arnett explores fifteen of Arendt’s major works, highlighting her contributions to rhetoric and communication ethics for the first time. Arnett delves into Arendt’s concept of “dark times,” which critiques post-Enlightenment social conditions dominated by efficiency, progress, and individual autonomy. According to Arendt, these principles have led humanity toward folly, banality, and hubris. Throughout his analysis, Arnett sheds light on the implications of Arendt’s metaphor and poses the question: How can communication ethics address the challenges posed by dark times? This compelling study connects Arendt’s key ideas to rhetoric and communication ethics, serving as an enlightening introduction for students and scholars in these fields. It also offers experts a resource for discovering new insights and applications. The work was recognized with the Top Book Award for Philosophy of Communication Ethics by the Communication Ethics Division of the National Communication Association in 2013.