Technical Communication Quarterly Jul 2001

Habit Formation and Story Telling: A Theory for Guiding Ethical Action

Dale L. Sullivan ; Michael S. Martin

Abstract

Abstract This article proposes retrospective narrative justifications combined with classical concepts of habit formation as a theory of ethics appropriate for practicing technical communicators. To explicate the theory, the article draws on Alasdair Maclntyre's ethical theory, which involves habit formation and narrative theory; on apologia and account-giving theory; and on traditional ethical stances, such as the teleological and deontological doctrines. Special attention is given to the ends-means relationship and the tension between individual and corporate identity in technical communication environments.

Journal
Technical Communication Quarterly
Published
2001-07-01
DOI
10.1207/s15427625tcq1003_2
Open Access
Closed
Topics
multilingual writers

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (5)

  1. Turner (2022)
    Key-notes: A Content Analysis of ATTW Conferences 1998-2018
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Boedy (2017)
    From Deliberation to Responsibility: Ethics, Invention, and Bonhoeffer in Techn…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Towner (2013)
    Documenting Genocide: The “Record of Confession, Guilty Plea, Repentance and Ap…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Ward (2010)
    The Ethic of Exigence
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Kienzler et al. (2003)
    After Enron
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication

Cites in this index (0)

No references match articles in this index.

Also cites 7 works outside this index ↓
  1. Clark Gregory (1987)
    10.1109/TPC.1987.6449074
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication  ↗
  2. Fisher Walter R (1970)
    10.1080/00335637009382994
    QJ  ↗
  3. Markel, Michael H. "A Basic Unit on Ethics for Technical Communicators." Humanistic Aspects of Technical Comm…
     ↗
  4. 10.2307/2092239
     ↗
  5. 10.2307/2089195
     ↗
  6. Wander Philip (1984)
    10.1080/10510978409368190
    Central States SgeechJournul  ↗
  7. 10.1109/47.7814
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 7 View in citation network →

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