Defining reality : definitions and the politics of meaning / Edward Schiappa.

Author
Schiappa, Edward, 1954- [Browse]
Format
Book
Language
English
Published/​Created
Carbondale : Southern Illinois University Press, ©2003.
Description
xvi, 213 pages ; 24 cm.

Availability

Copies in the Library

Location Call Number Status Location Service Notes
Forrestal Annex - ABC199.D4 S38 2003 Browse related items Request

    Details

    Subject(s)
    Series
    Rhetorical philosophy and theory [More in this series]
    Summary note
    Here, Edward Schiappa argues that definitional disputes should be treated less as philosophical questions of 'is' and more as sociopolitical questions of 'ought'. He covers a broad scope of argument in rhetorical theory, as well as legal, medical, scientific and environmental debates.
    Bibliographic references
    Includes bibliographical references (p. 183-207) and index.
    Contents
    • Definitions Matter
    • Language and Definitions: How We Make Sense of Reality
    • What Is X? Arguments about Definition
    • Moving Beyond "Real" Definitions: The Case of "Death"
    • Definitions as Prescriptive and Theory Bound: The Case of "Rape"
    • When Are Definitions Political? Always: The Case of "Wetlands"
    • Reformulating the "What Is X?" Question: The Case of "Person" vis-a-vis the Abortion Debate
    • Naming and Describing as Entitlements
    • Description as Persuasive Entitlement: The Mapplethorpe "Obscenity" Trial
    • Naming as Argument by Definition: The Case of "Nukespeak"
    • Defining the Situation or Framing as Social Influence: "Public," "Personal," and "Technical"
    • Conclusion: Toward a Pragmatic Approach to Definition.
    ISBN
    • 0809325004 ((alk. paper))
    • 9780809325009 ((alk. paper))
    • 0809325012 ((pbk. ; : alk. paper))
    • 9780809325016 ((pbk. ; : alk. paper))
    LCCN
    2002008489
    OCLC
    49977814
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