Conversation’s Seedy Underbelly [Book Review]

Journal of Moral Philosophy 21 (3-4):433-444 (2024)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

I provide an opinionated discussion of two recent volumes on the structure, ethics, and politics of bad conversations. In Just Words (2019), Mary Kate McGowan argues that despite our best intentions, we sometimes inadvertently bring oppressive norms to bear on our interactions. In Grandstanding (2020), Justin Tosi and Brandon Warmke argue that the human desire to cut a good moral figure before others systematically distorts moral discourse. Though their authors have different political outlooks, both books converge on a similar theme: conversational bad behavior isn’t always just morally obnoxious. It can be silencing.

Author's Profile

Sam Berstler
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Analytics

Added to PP
2023-06-15

Downloads
353 (#61,281)

6 months
151 (#24,930)

Historical graph of downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks on external links on PhilPapers.
How can I increase my downloads?