The Narrative Paradigm: Walter Fisher

Griffen Chapter 23Lecture 17.11.2009

Storytelling (p. 298-9)

Storytelling epitomized (defines) human nature

Reasons to agree Good story very effective Evidence and proof are less effective

Narrative Paradigm Nothing Didactic (clear and instructive) Nothing Descriptive

Defining Narration (p. 300)

3 Elements Symbolic Actions (words and deeds) Sequence and meaning Those who live, create and interpret them

Broad: Rooted in time and space Explains all human experience

Paradigm (p. 300)

Conceptual Framework (way of thinking) Ontology Epistemology Axiology

Narrative Paradigm (Stories as persuasion) A text without a story cannot persuade

The Rational Paradigm: 5 Elements (p. 301)

Humans use reason/logic/arguments Decision making based arguments Speaking situation maps argument Rationality=knowledge + argumentation World: Puzzled to be solved by reason

Artistotle: Rhetoric 101

Aristotle’s Rhetoric Genres:

Political (future oriented; good or bad plans) Ceremonial (present; praise or blame) Forensic (past oriented: right or wrong)

Artistic Appeals: Ethos (character of speaker or audience) Pathos (passions and emotions) Logos (arguments and evidence)

Narrative Paradigm: 5 Elements (pp. 301-2)

Humans are story tellers not rational Good reasons: depend on medium and

situation History, biography, culture Narrative rationality: coherence (holding

together) and fidelity (apparent truth) of our stories

We choose stories to create and re-create our lives

Shift in Focus: Back to Aristotle

Rational Privileges: Logos Ethos

Narrative Privileges: Pathos Ethos