Definition and Examples of Parrhesia

Definition and Examples of Parrhesia In classical rhetoric, parrhesia is free, frank, and fearless speech. In ancient Greek thought, speaking with parrhesia meant saying everything or speaking ones mind. An intolerance of parrhesia, notes S. Sara Monoson, marked tyranny of both the Hellenic and Persian varieties in the Athenian view. . . . The coupling of freedom and parrhesia in the democratic self-image . . . functioned to assert two things: the critical attitude appropriate to a democratic citizen, and the open life promised by democracy (Platos Democratic Entanglements, 2000). Examples and Observations The author of [Rhetorica] ad Herennium discussed a figure of thought called parrhesia (frankness of speech). This figure occurs when, talking before those to whom we owe reverence or fear, we yet exercise our right to speak out, because we seem justified in reprehending them, or persons dear to them, for some fault (IV xxxvi 48). For example: The university administration has tolerated hate speech on this campus, and so to some extent they are responsible for its widespread use. An opposing figure is litotes(understatement), where a rhetor diminishes some feature of the situation that is obvious to all.(Sharon Crowley and Debra Hawhee, Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students. Pearson, 2004)To best reflect the meanings in its own context, parrhesia should be thought of as true speech: the parrhesiastes is the one who speaks the truth. Parrhesia required that the speaker use the most direct words and expressions possible in order to make it clear that whatever he might be saying wa s his own opinion. As a speech activity, parrhesia was largely limited to male citizens.(Kyle Grayson, Chasing Dragons. University of Toronto Press, 2008) What is basically at stake in parrhesia is what could be called, somewhat impressionistically, the frankness, freedom, and openness, that leads one to say what one has to say, as one wishes to say it, when one wishes to say it, and in the form one thinks is necessary for saying it. The term parrhesia is so bound up with the choice, decision, and attitude of the person speaking that the Latins translated it by, precisely, libertas [speaking freely].(Michel Foucault, The Hermeneutics of the Subject: Lectures at the College de France 19811982. Macmillan, 2005)The Fearless Speech of Malcolm XMalcolm X is the great example of parrhesia in the black prophetic tradition. The term goes back to line 24A of Platos Apology, where Socrates says, the cause of my unpopularity was my parrhesia, my fearless speech, my frank speech, my plain speech, my unintimidated speech. The hip hop generation talks about keeping it real. Malcolm was as real as it gets. James Brown talked about make it funky. Malc olm was always. Bring in the funk, bring in the truth, bring in the reality. . . .When Malcom looked at black life in America, he saw wasted potential; he saw unrealized aims. This kind of prophetic witness can never be crushed. There was no one like him in terms of having the courage to risk life and limb to speak such painful truths about America.(Cornel West, Firebrand. Smithsonian, February 2015) Eisenhower on the Military-Industrial ComplexWe annually spend on military security alone more than the net income of all United States corporations.Now this conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influenceeconomic, political, even spiritualis felt in every city, every Statehouse, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet, we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources, and livelihood are all involved. So is the very structure of our society.In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an aler t and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together. . . .Disarmament, with mutual honor and confidence, is a continuing imperative. Together we must learn how to compose differences, not with arms, but with intellect and decent purpose. Because this need is so sharp and apparent, I confess that I lay down my official responsibilities in this field with a definite sense of disappointment. As one who has witnessed the horror and the lingering sadness of war, as one who knows that another war could utterly destroy this civilization which has been so slowly and painfully built over thousands of years, I wish I could say tonight that a lasting peace is in sight.Happily, I can say that war has been avoided. Steady progress toward our ultimate goal has been made. But so much remains to be done.(President Dwight Eisenhower, Farewell Address , January 17, 1961) Straight Talk as a Rhetorical TropeI read S. Sara Monosons excellent work on parrhesia (frank speech) in ancient Athens. I thought, this is itwe can use this ethic of parrhesia as our own democratic ideal! But then I began to notice that our popular culture in fact already praised something like parrhesia: straight talk. Political theorists also have a similar ethic: sincerity. But the problem was that a lot of straight-talkers seemed deeply undemocratic: straight talk seemed to have become a trope, another tool of crafty politicians and smart advertising executives.(Elizabeth Markovits, The Politics of Sincerity: Plato, Frank Speech, and Democratic Judgment. The Pennsylvania State University Press, 2008)

Biased Language Definition and Examples

Biased Language Definition and Examples The term biased language refers to  words  and  phrases  that are considered prejudiced, offensive, and hurtful. Biased language includes expressions that demean or exclude people because of age, sex, race, ethnicity, social class, or physical or mental traits.   Bias in language refers to language that is uneven or unbalanced or not a fair representation, says the University of Massachusetts Lowell, adding that you should strive to avoid bias in writing and speaking because such language may contain â€Å"hidden messages† about the superiority or inferiority of various groups or types of people. Examples of Biased Language Bias  is prejudice toward or unfair characterization of the members of a particular group, says Stacie Heaps writing on  WriteExpress: Bias is so common in speech and writing that we often are not even aware of it. But it is the responsibility of everyone to become conscious of and write without bias. Heaps gives several examples of bias together with alternative (and unbiased) phrasing: Biased Language Alternatives If he is elected, he would be the first person of color in the White House. lf he is elected, he would be the first African-American in the White House. He has had the physical handicap since he was 5 years old. He has had the physical impairment since he was 5 years old. There are many elderly people in our town. There are many senior citizens (or seniors) in our town. Be sensitive to the feelings of the opposite sex, minorities, and special interest groups says  Cengage: Dont emphasize differences by separating society into we and  they by singling out minorities, particular genders, or groups of people such as those with disabilities and senior citizens. How to Avoid Bias in Your Writing Purdue OWL  provides some examples of biased language with alternatives you could use to avoid gender bias: Biased Writing Alternatives mankind humanity, people, human beings man’s achievements human achievements manmade synthetic, manufactured, machine-made the common man the average person, ordinary people man the stockroom staff the stockroom nine manhours nine staff-hours You have to be on guard against bias because it can so easily creep into your writing or speaking, but Cengage says its easy to avoid, as in this example: Before a surgeon can operate,  he  must know every relevant detail or the patients history. Remove the bias with just a simple adjustment: Before operating,  a  surgeon  must know every relevant detail of the patients history. You can just as easily avoid bias in race. Dont say: Attending the meetings were three doctors and an Asian computer programmer. In the example, Asian  is preferred to  Oriental, but why even single out this persons ethnicity? The sentence did not specify the ethnicity of the doctors, who were presumably Caucasian. Examples and Observations Be on guard for these types of bias in writing and speaking: Age:  Avoid derogatory or condescending terms associated with age. Little old lady can be rephrased as a  woman in her 80s, while an immature adolescent is better described as a teenager or teen.Politics:  In any election campaign, words referring to politics are full of connotations. Consider, for instance, how the word liberal has been used with positive or negative connotations in various election campaigns. Take care with words and phrases like radical, left-wing, and right-wing. Consider how your readers are expected to interpret these biased words.Religion:  Some older encyclopedia editions referred to devout Catholics and fanatical Muslims. Newer editions refer to both Catholics and Muslims as devout, thus eliminating biased language.  Health and abilities:  Avoid phrases like confined to a wheelchair and victim (of a disease), so as not to focus on differences and disability. Instead, write or say someone who uses a wheelchair and a person with  (a disease). Biased language can defeat your purpose by damaging your credibility, say Gerald  J. Alred, Charles T. Brusaw, and Walter E. Oliu in their Handbook of Technical Writing. They add: The easiest way to avoid bias is simply not to mention differences among people unless the differences are relevant to the discussion. Keep current with accepted usage and, if you are unsure of the appropriateness of the expression or the tone of a passage, have several colleagues review the material and give you their assessments. As you write and speak, remember that biased language insults the person or group to which it is applied, say  Robert DiYanni and Pat C. Hoy II in their book, The Scribner Handbook for Writers. When you use biased language- even inadvertently- you denigrate others, creating division and separation, they say. So, strive to use unbiased language, and you will show that as a speaker or writer, you are including all potential members of your audience without segregating and referring pejoratively to a select few.