The afterword delves into historiographical issues relevant to rhetorical studies over the past decade, highlighting evolving scholarly perspectives. Throughout the work, references to recent scholarship enrich the discussion on Protagoras and other Sophists, showcasing how contemporary insights have refined the author's views. This engagement with current academic discourse emphasizes the ongoing relevance of Sophistic thought in rhetorical studies.
The book contends that an overemphasis on representational correctness may lead critics to overlook the constructive roles that films and television can play in diminishing prejudice. By analyzing various media examples, it highlights how storytelling can foster understanding and empathy, challenging the notion that representation alone is sufficient for social change. The author advocates for a more nuanced appreciation of media's potential to influence attitudes and promote inclusivity.
The book explores the contemporary debates surrounding gender definitions, emphasizing the complexities and ethical implications of identifying "woman," "man," "male," "female," "masculine," and "feminine." It advocates for a pragmatic approach to these definitions, recognizing the significance of how we label and understand gender in today's society.
At no other point in human history have the definitions of "woman" and "man," "male" and "female," "masculine" and "feminine," been more contentious than now. This book advances a pragmatic approach to the act of defining that acknowledges the important ethical dimensions of our definitional practices. Increased transgender rights and visibility has been met with increased opposition, controversy, and even violence. Who should have the power to define the meanings of sex and gender? What values and interests are advanced by competing definitions? Should an all-boys' college or high school allow transgender boys to apply? Should transgender women be allowed to use the women's bathroom? How has growing recognition of intersex conditions challenged our definitions of sex/gender? In this timely intervention, Edward Schiappa examines the key sites of debate including schools, bathrooms, the military, sports, prisons, and feminism, drawing attention to the political, practical, and ethical dimensions of the act of defining itself. This is an important text for students and scholars in gender studies, philosophy, communication, and sociology. The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.