Ruth W. Grant's The Ethics Of Talk

In Ruth W. Grant’s The Ethics of Talk, she talks about how conversation in the classroom is essential for impact in society. Grant argues that the experience of critical inquiry conducted through classroom dialogue can cultivate precisely those ethical characteristics required of participants in the public life of a deliberative democracy. Engaging in thoughtful and respectful conversation within educational settings can contribute to the development of ethical behavior and critical thinking. Grant wrote, “More importantly, what we think about one issue is part of a whole complex of attitudes that affect our behavior in all kinds of settings” (479). This quote talks about public conversation and why it should be important. In this case, conversation does matter, and it

Because the conversations themselves matter, the sense of personal efficacy involved in conversation is real” (Grant, 479-480). I think that this ties in with the theme community too. For example, when Grant talks about debate, she mentions that it is good to hear both sides of a story so we can all come to an agreement instead of just hearing one side of it and liking it. Poverty, By America, written by Matt Desmond, is an examination of poverty in the United States. In his book, Desmond goes through the lives of individuals and families that live in poverty. He explores poverty and the causes, consequences, and the systems that perpetuate it. Desmond also illustrates how communities can support efforts to alleviate poverty. In his book, Desmond wrote “Poverty is the loss of liberty” (18). This quote talks about the American prison system and how it restricts individuals’ freedom and opportunities. In prisons, people remain poor and only work at jobs that pay them 14 cents to $1.41 an hour on average. This quote relates to community because when poverty affects individuals within a community, it impacts the entire