The first book to approach communication from the methodological positions of rationalism and praxeology. Redefines the concept of communication, as well as the object, the scope and the role of communication studies. Explores the relationship between libertarianism and communication using the speech act theory. Argues that the key postulates of libertarianism - property rights and consent - are logically dependent on communication. Proposes a normative theory of communication based on libertarian political philosophy. "This is an outstanding contribution to both libertarian political philosophy and communication theory. It is far and away the most comprehensive work on communication issues in libertarian theory ever published. The author has integrated successfully the libertarian insights of Mises, Rothbard, Block, Kinsella and others with the philosophy of language as developed by Austin, Searle and Grice. He has done so in a unique and unprecedented way. The book would appeal to students and scholars interested in libertarian theory and more generally, to philosophers and political scientists interested in high-level scholarship.” - David Gordon, libertarian philosopher and intellectual historian, Ludwig von Mises Institute.
Author(s): Pavel Slutskiy
Edition: 1
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2021
Language: English
Commentary: TruePDF
Pages: 379
Tags: Communication Studies
Preface
Declaration of Conflicting Interests
Funding
Third Party Materials
Contents
Part IMethodological Foundations
1 Communication Art vs Communication Science
Introduction
The Problem with Positivist Research in Communication Studies
The Problem with Interpretivist Research in Communication Science
The Problem with the Critical Theory Approach
Ontological Inconsistency of the Mixed Paradigms Approach
References
2 Epistemological and Methodological Alternatives: Rationalism and Praxeology in Communication Studies
Introduction
The Incommensurability of Empiricism and Constructionism
Methodological Similarities between Empiricism and Constructivism
Rationalism as the Epistemological Foundation of Communication Studies
Praxeological Methodology for Communication Studies
References
3 Communication: The Importance of Terminology and the Danger of Metaphors
Introduction
Purpose as a Necessary Element of Communicative Action
Intention as a Necessary Element of Communicative Action
Knowledge as a Necessary Element of Communicative Action
Communication as a Social Action
References
4 Speech Acts: Conventions and Intentions
Introduction
Doing Things with Words
Speech Act Theory and Praxeology
External and Internal Felicity Conditions
Normative Status of Unintentional and Unintended Speech Acts
References
Part IICommunication Arguments in Defence of Libertarianism
5 Communication Ethics: Consent as the Foundation of Non-aggression
Introduction
Praxeology and Subjectivism
On the Objective Statements in Ethics
The Fallacy of an Outside Observer Position
The Ethics of Consent
The Role of Communication in Telling Good from Bad
References
6 The Role of Property Rights in the Ethics of Consent
Introduction
Identifying the Object of Action
The Relationship with Objects: Direct Control
Control of External Objects
Non-aggression Principle as a Foundation of Legal Order
References
7 Communication in Adopting Moral Norms
Introduction
Descriptive and Prescriptive Ethical Statements
Developing Moral Norms
The Role of Communication in Adopting Moral Norms
Conforming to a Moral Norm
References
8 Libertarianism and Communication
Introduction
Communication as Peaceful Non-aggressive Interaction
Communication Science—The General Study of Normative Consequences of Speech Acts
Communication Art—The Study of Individual Actions and Conventions
The Art and Science of Communication and Human Cooperation
References
Part III Speech that Determines Rights
9 Communication Theory of Property Rights
Introduction
Lockean Homesteading by Mixing One’s Labour
Are Objective Physical Links with Objects Necessary to Establish Property Rights?
Speech Acts Theory and Social Status of Property Rights
References
10 Communicating Consent
Introduction
Validity of Consent
Can Hypothetical Consent Be Valid?
Different Types of Legitimate Consent
Communication as a Necessary Prerequisite for Consensual Action
References
11 Threats of the Use of Force: “Mere Speech” or Rights Violation?
Introduction
Why Punish Threats if Words Cannot Hurt?
Threats as a Shorthand of Violence
Threats as Performatives: Analysing Felicity Conditions
The Problem of Proportional Punishment of Threats
References
12 Communication Theory of Contracts
Introduction
Speech Acts
Contracts: Promises or Consent?
Title-Transfer Theory
The Existence of Property in Question Condition
References
Part IV Property Rights in Information and Media
13 Communication Freedom and Property Rights
Introduction
The Concept of Rights Revisited
Communication Freedom and Property Rights
Property Rights and Media Censorship
Communication Freedom as Free Choice
References
14 Property Rights in Media Production Resources: Media Concentration, Monopolisation and Subsidies
Introduction
Media Concentration—Popular Accusations
Government Control Over Resources
Other Forms of Government Control that Limit Free Market Competition
Subsidies as Another Disruption of Free Market Competition that Distorts the Media Industry
References
15 Property Rights vs Intellectual Property: Copyright as Restriction of Communication Freedom
Introduction
Libertarian Intellectual Property Debate
Scarcity Criticism and Contradiction with Property Rights
Copyright and Free Speech
Intellectual Property as an Artificial Monopoly
References
16 Communication Freedom and Privacy
Introduction
Intrusion into Personal Space
Disturbance by Unsolicited Communication
Public Spaces and Unwanted Messages
Remaining Anonymous and Compulsory Information Disclosure
References
Part V Acquiring Valid Consent
17 Fraudulent Communication in Advertising and Business Promotion
Introduction
Fraudulent Advertising as an Exercise in Free Speech
Fraudulent Advertising as a Type of Theft
The Role of Communication in Human Interaction
Understanding the Meanings
References
18 Manipulation of Consent
Introduction
Advertising and Manipulation: Deterministic View of Advertising
Puffery and Persuasion
Free Market Argument and the Role of Word-of-Mouth
Prohibitionism and Censorship in Advertising
References
19 Pornography: Accusations in Subordination, Silencing, Indecency and Bad Taste
Introduction
Pornography as an Act of Subordination
Pornography as Silencing
Protection of Children from Indecency
Pornography, Obscenity and Bad Taste
References
20 Blackmail
Introduction
The Paradox of Blackmail
Blackmail vs Extortion
The “Second Paradox of Blackmail”
Utilitarian Benefits of Legalising Blackmail
References
Part VI Free Speech and Libertarian Theory of Property Rights
21 Fake News and Speech Acts Which Tell Lies
Introduction
Why Fake News Is a Problem
Truths, Lies and Violations of Rights
Harm and Damage from Fake News: Who Is the Victim?
Reputation Mechanisms to Evaluate News as Constative Utterances
References
22 Defamation, Libel and Slander
Introduction
Property Rights in Reputation
Police, Court and False Accusation
Alternative Solutions
Protection of Ideas from Defamation
References
23 Incitement to Aggression
Introduction
Incitement as Free Speech and the Chain of Causation
Incitement within the Praxeological Framework of Means and Ends
Dual Criterion and Proximity of the Relationship
Incitement as a Speech Act
References
24 Hate Speech
Introduction
Criticism of Hate Speech—Environmental Concern
Defence of Hate Speech—Pragmatic Argumentation
Laws and Punishment
If We Punish—Then Whom Do We Punish and for What?
References
