Friday, September 2, 2011
Chapter 1 Blog 2
I partially agree with the Greek's theory about orators needing to be morally good. I say partially, because while i believe that orators SHOULD be morally good, i have known many that are not. The last squadron i worked in before being retired from the Air Force had a charismatic pilot who would speak at all of our events and acted as a liaison to the public. He was absolutely magnetic, and could talk his way into or out of just about any situation. His future plans include running for a major public office, preferably the Senate. I know he will be a Senator someday, and he will be very popular, but i can't say that he will be popular due to his high moral standards. While he is not an awful guy, his great speaking abilities do not stem from some deeper moral fiber. He is manipulative and knows how to get people to do whatever he requires. Is it a gift? Maybe. I'm sure there were some Greek orators that had everyone fooled too. I do think that there is some connection between goodness, truth, and public communication. Eventually the truth always comes out, so public speakers that communicate truthfully and morally all of the time will never see everything they have built crumble due to lies or moral corruption.
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I agree with you on this and actually felt the same in my argument. I love that you actually had the perfect personal example to back your argument. I to know many people that are great at public speaking and being able to persuade people yet they may not be morally good in what message they r speaking about. But what I feel is who is to determine what is morally good in speaking to an audience because the speaker may not feel they are not within good morals. Of course if you know the speaker personally, well that's a little different. Again great argument.
ReplyDeleteI also like that you added your own personal experience in there. Although I don't know of any or at least have not came across to my own personal experience, I don’t truly believe that you absolutely must have to have good morals to be an orator. Your example is clear and well thought out...and true, but I think someone with bad morals could also be a good speaker. Like you said in your example, speaking abilities are mainly the key to being a good orator. Someone with good morals will possibly go much further then someone with bad morals, but that doesn’t make either one a better orator. But at the same time, I do agree with your belief. And a little side note…. so cool that you were in the Air Force. My ex boyfriend is a A1C and he is so stoked he got to fly his first official jet!!!
ReplyDeleteI liked how you agreed to the question on different levels. I too believe that orators SHOULD have good morals, but how many really do? Speakers now only have the intention of gaining the audience's approval, not speaking the truth. I liked your take on the aspect that Greek orators probably were not of high moral standing either. Anyone can lie. Unfortunately, the audience is usually captured by the "smooth talkers" and not the honest truth. Most of our politicians have the "skill" of capturing their audience; and many politicians have been found to be involved in a financial, or sexual scandal. That doesn't show high moral standing to me.
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