Gossip as a Burdened Virtue

Alfano, M.R.; Robinson, Brian

doi:10.1007/s10677-017-9809-y

Gossip as a Burdened Virtue

Title

Gossip as a Burdened Virtue

Author

Alfano, M.R. (TU Delft Ethics & Philosophy of Technology)
Robinson, Brian (Texas A&M-Kingsville)

Date

2017

Abstract

Gossip is often serious business, not idle chitchat. Gossip allows those oppressed to privately name their oppressors as a warning to others. Of course, gossip can be in error. The speaker may be lying or merely have lacked sufficient evidence. Bias can also make those who hear the gossip more or less likely to believe the gossip. By examining the social functions of gossip and considering the differences in power dynamics in which gossip can occur, we contend that gossip may be not only permissible but virtuous, both as the only reasonable recourse available and as a means of resistance against oppression.

Subject

Burdened virtue
Gossip
Reputation
Social epistemology
Virtue

To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:a7f9a0ce-1871-4e11-806e-c72da0058084

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10677-017-9809-y

ISSN

1386-2820

Source

Ethical Theory and Moral Practice: an international forum, 20 (3), 473-487

Part of collection

Institutional Repository