I liked that the beginning of this chapter really broke down the different main terms (public discourse, decision making, differentiation of space) because it helps to make connections between them without using them interchangeably. I understand the term "public discourse" to be about differences and diversity and their effects on the way people engage with and talk to each other based on their particular perspective.
One idea I found particularly intriguing and even relatable was the idea of there being both public and private domain. Once again the book used an example of Les Mis at the end of the chapter to differentiate between and explain the public and private domain, and once again I am finding these examples to be extremely helpful. The example of Valjean having a separate public identity (madeleine) and a private life in order to promote and maintain a greater (public) good. I think this difference between his concern for the public and himself and the way it effects his interaction with those around him really works as a great example. He is trying to protect the public domain more than his own, even if that means risking one for the other. I think this really shows that sometimes having such different lives, identities, personalities etc. throughout different domains can often somehow relate the two (public and private) or demonstrate a priority or reason behind such actions. And after reading this example I thought about how I handle public vs. private discourse in my own life and realized it relates to some ideas we have talked about in class this semester. We have discussed how often times we act or speak very differently in a formal or public setting than we do with close friends and family in order to maintain peace and face, and I think this is similar to the idea of public and private discourse. In order to maintain a respectable image or professional reputation, we often present ourselves in a way we think will do that even if it is much different than the way we would act in a small group of close friends or at a party. This, I think, is an example of a differentiation of public and private discourse and the way we change our behavior based on what is ethical in that situation and what we think will ultimately promote a public good. We recognize these are different "spaces" as the book calls them, and therefor change out actions based on it.
One thing I thought about while reading over this chapter and writing my post is what sort of effect one's role in a public or private space has on their behavior and discourse. I mean this in the sense that there are several public settings and spaces and does our willingness or desire to be a part of that space affect the way we view that space? Could one person interpret a space as public and another private?And then can the lines of public and private be blurred? This might just be me overanalyzing but I just think about an example like a small class where some people may feel more comfortable than others and have a different perspective on how they should behave and ow private vs. public the setting is. I think this ties into public decision making a lot as well, but it was just something I was thinking about while reading the chapter.
Kathryn,
ReplyDeleteYou have written a well review about public discourse and how our narratives from our private lives affect the way we act and present ourselves publicly. Public discourse can relate to so many other aspects we have been discussing class such as "Common Sense" or "Dialogic Ethics." We all seem to negotiate what is "common sense" when we are in public arenas, as well the "ethical" way to act when interacting with others (in this case, interacting with others in a public arena). The "good" of the public and what is "ethical" can be negotiated, and it definitely depends on what arena you are in. A lot of the times, what is ethical in a public arena pertains to making others feel included or heard, listening and being attentive and portraying yourself in a way that others will be comfortable with.
As we discussed in class, the lines of public and private arenas are always being blurred, they constantly bleed into one another. In addition, that depends on how we feel about the space we are in, whether we want to be there or not. We can also look at how we feel coming into that space as well. For example, in the classroom, if one feels very confident and passionate about the topic being discussed that day, they may come to class and approach the topic very dominantly. Thus, that may leave others feeling uncomfortable, intimidated or unheard. So we must enter with a desire to learn and creating a "marketplace" for ideas. With those that are uncomfortable/intimidated/unheard, they may turn the classroom into a private space, where they make personal side comments to a friend sitting nearby, or talk about their ideas to the professor after class. Therefore, it's important that you don't dominant a public space too much because there are others your are keeping out. The book also touches base on that and suggests that your personal interests should be secondary, while the public interest should be primary.