The Ethics and Epistemology of Persuasion

Mckenna, R ORCID: 0000-0001-5129-7850 (2025) The Ethics and Epistemology of Persuasion Canadian Journal of Philosophy, 54 (4). pp. 314-328. ISSN 0045-5091, 1911-0820

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Abstract

What is persuasion and how does it differ from coercion, indoctrination, and manipulation? Which persuasive strategies are effective, and which contexts are they effective in? The aim of persuasion is attitude change, but when does a persuasive strategy yield a rational change of attitude? When is it permissible to engage in rational persuasion? In this paper, I address these questions, both in general and with reference to particular examples. The overall aims are (i) to sketch an integrated picture of the psychology, epistemology, and ethics of persuasion and (ii) to argue that there is often a tension between the aim we typically have as would-be persuaders, which is bringing about a rational change of mind, and the ethical constraints which partly distinguish persuasion from coercion, indoctrination, and manipulation.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	50 Philosophy and Religious Studies, 5001 Applied Ethics
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences > School of the Arts
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	01 Jul 2025 08:04
Last Modified:	24 Jan 2026 05:23
DOI:	10.1017/can.2025.10005
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1017/can.2025.10005
Related Websites:	Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3193488
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