Addresses the debate over rhetoric's epistemic status in terms of Nietzsche's critique of epistemology. Suggests that Nietzsche's aestheticism provides an alternative to the debate. Focuses on differences between the rhetorics of the epistemic and the aesthetic. (SR)

Argues that the two principle modes of organizing rhetorical theories in histories of rhetoric (according to influence or systems) frequently mask or distort the particularity of rhetoric's history. Forwards an alternative critical history that privileges the notions of text, particularity, change, and criticism. (SR)

Argues for the priority of a "praxical" hermeneutics over both an ontological and a methodological one. Proposes a praxical dimension to the hermeneutic tradition within communication studies by focusing on and expanding Hans-Georg Gadamer's notion of practice. Suggests some new possibilities for the study of communication and mass…

Argues that the deconstructive practice of disturbing the status quo between opposites constitutes one of the central themes of physics since the Enlightenment. Summarizes parallel developments in physics and language studies from Aristotle to Einstein. Contends that to question postmodern language theory exemplified in deconstruction necessitates…

The authors argue that self-report measures and transcriptions of conversations are ineffective means of gathering data about self-disclosure. Influenced by Kenneth Burke and Hugh Duncan, they illustrate--with a discussion of Shakespeare's character of Richard III--the advantages of using soliloquies as examples of self-disclosure. (PD)

Argues that rhetorical scholars should recognize resistive reading, strategic ambiguity, and hermeneutic depth as three types of polysemy that support different scholarly purposes. Complicates assumptions about the critical judgment of polysemous texts and suggests that some types of polysemy are best identified through the adoption of a new…

Discusses the methodological issues of the role of "critique" and the role of an author's announced or apparent political commitments in ethnography. Compares and contrasts the views of John Fiske and Donal Carbaugh (whose articles appear in the same issue of this journal) on these issues. (PRA)

Argues that the speech communication scholar can contribute to the general study of communicative development, particularly to the investigation of strategic communication. Argues for attention to message strategies, but within the framework of the underlying cognitive and cultural structures through which they are created. (JMF)

Presents an ontological understanding of the phenomenon of anxiety and makes a comparison with the phenomenon of fear. Discusses the experience of anxiety in communication situations and offers implications for communication researchers. (JMF)

Uses "Mother Jones" to explore the link between labor union agitation and use of symbolic motherhood by female labor leaders. Argues that maternal aims such as physical protection helped empower oppressed mining audiences. Suggests that Jones's militant motherhood--realized through nondiscursive maternal practices and a…

Considers the problem of insuring that students acquire thoughtfulness, knowledge, and wisdom, as well as the skills and techniques of eloquent expression, in interpersonal and public communication. Examines historical roots of this problem in classical rhetorical theory; contemporary problems of the discipline; and needed areas of research and…

Argues with John Fiske's position on the nature and function of cultural interpretation. Defines and defends cultural interpretation as an investigative mode the main objective of which is to render participants' communication practices coherent and intelligible, through an explication of a system of symbols, symbolic forms, and meanings which is…

Explores some implications of the redefinition of ethnography as discursive practice, of ethnography as "writing the other." Asserts that a central problem in discourse theory is the relationship between discourse and nondiscursive "reality." Argues ethnography is discursive rather than empiricist. Asserts that conflictual social theories produce…

Examines the "Evagoras" from the perspective of contemporary narrative theory, inquiring into internal adjustments that the encomium underwent as epideitic rhetoric sought to play a role in state affairs. Claims uniqueness for the narrative structure of Isocrates's encomium: a combination of fictional narrative (quest for virtue) with…

Discusses how assumptions of methodology rigidly restrict theory testing in the area of sequential analysis of social interaction. Assumptions explored center on three aspects of process: coding schemes, the nature of time, and the quality of explanations engendered by sequential analysis methodologies. (JMF)