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Heather Best

SPCH 3320

Dr. McIntyre

March 8, 2017

What are the Ethical Implications of the Speeches We Make

In this paper, I will discuss the ethical implications to the public

speeches and presentations we make. I will talk about speaking responsibly,

thinking critically, and learning from the past. I will also show how my work in

this class has given me more knowledge about the ethical implications of

public speaking.

One of my favorite communication quotes is from Quintilian. He

described the ideal orator as a good man skilled in speakingwith the

emphasis on the good man (J. Michael Hogan, 2014, p. 8). As someone

who reads and reviews a lot of news sources, this is what I hope for. I want to

hear from a credible and trustworthy speaker who separates the truth from

fiction regardless of possible political, financial, or social gain. Ethical

speakers assume the responsibilities of leadership, tell the truth, believe

sincerely in our causes, and engage in reasoned and ethical speech (J.

Michael Hogan, 2014, p. 8).

Before you can speak responsibly, you must think critically. in the

marketplace of ideas, we must learn to protect ourselves against those who

may seek to manipulate or deceive us (J. Michael Hogan, 2014, p. 9). Hogan

goes on to talk about learning how to recognize illogical arguments. This

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takes time and practice, and often research. It can be necessary to distance

yourself from the most popular voices and demagogues and try to discover

the truth from better, less-biased sources.

It is also necessary to learn the lessons of the past. Many of the issues

and controversies debated in the early years of our republic are still with us

today (J. Michael Hogan, 2014, p. 10). Hogan (2014) also mentions a

historical amnesia that many of Americans have (p.10). If we have not

learned from the mistakes others have made, we may repeat them in the

present. In this way, progress is never made and our social world will not

improve the lives of others. It will be a detriment to our society.

Unethical public speaking leads to the divisiveness that we are seeing

in American social media and news today. Two or more opposing parties are

fighting with lies, half-truths, fake news, alternative facts, and rhetoric in an

attempt to demonize those that dont agree with them. Instead of

demonizing, we should be exploring our shared values and using our public

voices to open up dialogue and create inclusivity.

From the work I have done in class, I have been asked to think critically

about peer thesis statements and review their outlines. This has forced me to

think carefully about the ideas they were proposing and whether their

evidence backed up their argument. I have also had to do this in my own

work as I revised my outlines. Thinking critically helps us to learn from past

mistakes and be prepared to speak ethically.

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When creating my PowerPoint, I was very aware of the types of

pictures I chose in dealing with homelessness. Because of the poverty porn

assignment, I chose not to use pictures of people that could be seen as

exploiting them. I found other pictures that went along well with my

presentation without using anyones face.

I also think the Pentagon Strikes assignment was a great learning

experience as you can see how a convincing argument can be made with

little to no evidence. You also see and hear the types of imagery and sounds

used in propaganda to garner an atmosphere and an emotional response.

In conclusion, ethical speaking is important in a democracy. Without

ethical speakers, we may be doomed to repeat the past, slow or stop

progress, create demagogues who are followed without thought, and spread

a divisiveness through our country that may never go away.

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References
J. Michael Hogan, P. H. (2014). Public Speaking and Civic Engagement. Upper Saddle

River: Pearson.