Abstract
This article explores the philosophical and historical roots linking communication studies to the liberal arts tradition. Drawing on the oratorical heritage of classical Greece and the natural rights philosophy of early English empiricists, it argues that both traditions emphasized clarity, accuracy, and responsible expression in the service of civic virtue. The discussion contrasts these foundations with modern trends toward relativism, specialization, and professionalism, which risk fragmenting education and distancing communication from its liberal arts identity. The article critiques neutrality and adversarialism as inadequate models of journalistic objectivity, advocating instead for careful semantic discrimination and commitment to truth. It concludes that communication disciplines share a natural alliance with liberal arts education and should emphasize integration, accessibility, and civic responsibility rather than overspecialization, reaffirming their role in cultivating public discourse and moral clarity.
Recommended Citation
Hudson, Stewart
(1988)
"Communication's Oratorical and Natural Rights Heritage and the Liberal Arts,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 64, Article 3.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol64/iss1/3
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