Transcendence-Key Terms

Learn By Teaching ProjectChapter 3: Communication by Transcendence

Presented by COML 508 - Group 1K. Adams, N. Njegomir, A. Taylor & M. Wolbeck

TranscendenceShepherd espouses, You and me jointly make up you and me. My understanding and your understanding jointly make up my understanding and your understanding (p.27).

While Shepherds argument You and me jointly make up you and me is tautological in nature, it expresses the dyadic approach to communication which Shepherd refers to as transcendence. Dyadic is in contrast to Rortys argument (as discussed in the following sections). This symbol illustrates the Dyad of Pythagorean philosophy.2

In this Module, we will display the historical development of Transcendence and discuss the influence of this new generative theoretical perspective. Specifically, we will communicate the following:Type of theoryKey termsDefinitionsImportant Statements ExplainedDiscussion questions

The field of communication has its roots deeply imbedded in the history of rhetoric and the social scientific theories of the last century. In this Module, we will display the historical development of communication theory and to see how a new generative theoretical perspective can influence this tradition (From Syllabus)Shepherd quotes George Herbert Meads definition of individuals as social, or communicative, products: All selves are constituted by or in terms of the social process, and are individual reflections of it (p24).

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Type of Theory

Facets of the TheoryPhenomenological Tradition of Communication- Shepherd uses the terms Self and OtherPragmatic Approach- Regarding Transcendence This is the promise of pragmatism and its conception of communication (p29).Interpretative/Subjective- By defining communication as an experience, I am doing away with that requirement of accuracy or correspondence (p23).Dialogical- Communication is the experience of transcending ones (current) self, overcoming ones (current) self, to become more than what one was through connection with another (p.22).Quantitative- This theory cannot be accurate/inaccurate or true/false (p23).Inter-relationship- Dyadic in origin, Transcendence explains the aching need most of us have to be with others, the seeming naturalness of togetherness and what we know to be the aberrant character of isolation (p26).

The Hegelian thesis-antithesis-synthesis dialectic. Dyad means two.5

Good TheoryGriffin states interpretivetheories should accomplish some or all of the following functions: create understanding, identify values, inspire aesthetic appreciation, stimulate agreement, reform society, and conduct qualitative research (p. 31).Creates Understanding: Transcendence creates an orientation of sympathetic awareness (a common secondary definition of understanding) (p24). Identifying Values: Communication is the experience of transcending ones (current) self, overcoming ones (current) self, to become more than what one was through connection with another. Always-becoming implies the sense of transcendence as the overcoming of self (p24). Inspire aesthetic appreciation: Transcendence is an examination of the quality of the experience of communication (p23).Stimulate Agreement:The sense of togetherness that communication as transcendence provides is necessary to a democratic way of life because we have nothing in common, nothing really to unite us, other than the significance of shared experience (p.28).Reform Society: The Democratic Definition- Transcending your self and being able to experience another as you experience your self are notions needed for a society (p28).Conduct Qualitative Research: Communication cannot be right or wrong, accurate or inaccurate, or true or false (p.23).(Shepherd, 2006)

Key Terms

Key TermsTranscendencethrough communication, one is becoming more than his or her current self through a connection with another (Shepherd, 2006).Experience of SelfShepherd (2006) explains we are not born with senses of self. Rather, selves arise in interaction with others (p. 24).Experience of OtherThrough the experience of communication with another there is a sense of sympathy (Shepherd, 2006, p. 24).Through this common feeling both the self and other are becoming moretranscending

Knowing yourself is not a psychological process of discovering your true self, but it is a communicative process of always becoming who you are (Shepherd, 2006, p. 24).Shepherd explains that this always-becoming gives one a sense of transcendence and communication allows for continual building of ones self (Shepherd, 2006, p. 24).

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Key Terms-Cont.Communication, defined by Shepherd (2006) is the simultaneous experience of self and other (p. 22).ExperienceShepherd uses William James notion of pure experience: something that is nothing less than concentrated experience; an undiluted totality (p. 23).In other words, an experience is consists of everything one is doing; not just one aspectExample: a bad dining experience would not entail bad food, but other factors of the restaurant as well

Shepherd says the word experience suggests the fullness of what one feels and thinksIn the example of a bad dining experience, one would consider all aspects of the bad dining experience; not just the quality of the meal. All aspects such as a rude waiter, a crying baby at the table next to you, the price of the meal and being sat next to the smoking section are all part of the experience (Shepherd, 2006, p. 23).9

Transcendence- Definitions and PerspectivesA Hopeful Definitionthe transmission of thoughts or meaning may not always be easy, but holds the possibility of something good coming from it.An Empowering Definitionemphasizes the importance of voluntary participation. There cannot be communication without the giving of ones self.An Ennobling Definitionbeing together is as natural as being apart; there can be no sense of self without sense of other.A Democratic Definitionpeople are united through the experience of being together in communication.

(Shepherd, 2006, pp.26-28)

Holds the idea that communication may not be easy or satisfying, but there is the possibility of good coming from itWithout the gift of self, we will be smaller, or less than we could have been. Here, one should consider the following: a person cannot experience being alone unless they have experienced togetherness.people are united through the experience of being together in communication.

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Definitions

Transcendence-DefinitionsA hopeful Definitionthe transmission of thoughts or meaning may not always be easy, but holds the possibility of something good coming from it.An Empowering Definitionemphasizes the importance of of voluntary participation. There cannot be communication without the giving of ones self.An Ennobling Definitionbeing together is as natural as being apart; there can be no sense of self without sense of other.A Democratic Definitionpeople are united through the experience of being together in communication.(Shepherd, 2006, pp.26-28)

This slide defines the various applications of Transcendence theory.12

Important Statements Explained

Transcendence Statement 1Communication is simultaneous, but not just in the sense that two or more individuals send messages at one time. Shepherd says This definition hearkens to the Latin root of the word communication, munia, gifts and services (2006, p25).The self and other experience communication as a whole.Self and Other become more together.Communication is not just information, it is relationship building.

Example) Communication is simultaneous through shared experiences. When going to dinner the self and other experience all of the same stimuli (table setting, food taste, background noise, etc). Shepherd points out that the experience is shared between the self and other, but the interpretation can be different for both parties and that is okay.

Communication is the experience of being together with the self and other. The self and other experience communication together.This process allows the self and other to become more together. Communication is not just about receiving messages; it is about the experience of building relationships.

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Transcendence Statement 2 Communication may be a miracle, but it is a rather mundane one, and the oxymoronic character of this mundane miracle is what lends this particular conception its definitional power. This pragmatic definition allows us to see how special, significant, necessary, and needed communication is in our lives, but also how, as a result, everyday it is (Shepherd, 2006, p 25).

Humans thrive on communication.Communication is considered a miraculous gift.Communication is so routine, it is easy to forget how miraculous and powerful it is.

Example) Marriage thrives on communication.The self and other (spouses) create togetherness.Lack of communication destroys the self and other togetherness.

Shepherd calls communication a mundane miracle. It is an oxymoron to say this, but he couldnt be more accurate.Humans thrive on communication. Shepherd mentions that people who do not communicate with others feel depressed and isolated. They even lose a sense of self.Communication is considered a miraculous gift because it gives a human a sense of self and purpose. Its benefits are not always appreciated on a daily basis, especially if you are not aware of it like Communication students are.Communication is so routine, it is easy to forget how miraculous and powerful it is. Communication is a daily gift that should be cherished and valued.Example) Marriage is a gift that is best maintained through daily communication. It is easy to fall in a routine with your spouse where the building upon self through other ceases to exist. Communicating daily with your spouse will allow self and other to continue to develop as Shepherd says is a crucial part of transcendence.

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Transcendence Statement 3After all, once I get your message, or meaning, the task of communication has been accomplished and we have no further need to talk. Isnt it much more uplifting to think of communication as an experience of being in sympathy with another and yourself at the same time (Shepherd, 2006, 26) ?Transcendence is hope and togetherness.Communication is not just sending and receiving information.Communication is not a tedious task.The road may be bumpy, but it is worthwhileExample) A monk is sent off to solidarity where he could communicate through books and written word. Shepherd argues that humans desire more than just words, we desire experience. We desire to understand not only a persons message, but how they came to create that message. By relating to others this way, we build upon our self.

Shepherds Communication as Transcendence is a communication definition that delivers hope and togetherness. If we were only meant to send information to one another, there would not be a purpose for relationships.Communication based solely on sending and receiving messages does not support human relationship intimacy. Communication should not be thought of as a tedious task, but a process that allows us to connect with one another.He disclaims that togetherness is not always easy, but is worthwhile for a fulfilling life.

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Transcendence Statement 4a self cannot feel alone unless it has already experienced togetherness (Shepherd, 2006, 27).

A self can only feel alone when it has already experienced a togetherness.A self is not a self without the other.A self and other create an us through the experience of communication.

Example) If a couple is married, but then divorces, each spouse will feel alone until they either develop new friendships or find a new spouse. Spouse one is self, spouse 2 is other, together they are us. The self feels alone without the other because there is no longer an us. The self creates a new self by finding a new other to create an communicative experience with, an us. We constantly seek togetherness through communication experience.

Shepherd introduces the concept that a self is only a self when there is an other. This concept may seem far fetched because humans often soul search to find out who they are. He states that a self is damaged with out an other and therefore can not stand alone. Shepherd says that a self is continuously changing through out life. The best way to explain his concept is to look at our example of marriage, divorce, and recovery. 17

Questions

Think back to your last meaningful conversation. What was your experience? Hint: Remember that an experience is not just the content you and the other person exchanged. It is the ambiance what were their eyes doing? What did their body language convey? Where were you when this conversation took place? Think through your five senses to get the full scope of the experience.

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Do you think people communicate in order to end conversation or keep it going? What are some common phrases or tactics we use to do either/or?Hint: Shepherd shares that Richard Rorty points out, this view suggests that we converse in order to make further conversation unnecessary (1982, p. 170) (2006, p. 26). Rortys view has a connotation that we as people really do not want to be around each other. Shepherds outlook according to Communication as Trancendance however, contradicted this view. What do you think that is usually the case? Think about when you want to move away from a conversation, what are some phrases you use? What body language? And when you want to continue the conversation?

How do you think Shepherds description of Communication as Transcendence narrates the spirituality of persons involved in communication? Hint: Please note that I am using the word spiritual here as define by the Merriam Webster Dictionary, related or joined in spirit. According to Shepherd, it is a basic human desire to want to be connected with fellow human beings. (2006, p. 29) It might help to look back at the definition of transcendence that was explained.

Please note that I am using the word spiritual here as define by the Merriam Webster Dictionary as related or joined in spirit. 21

Class ApplicationBy defining communication as an experience, I am doing away with that requirement of accuracy or correspondence (p23).

Consider how this statement would apply to your communication log from Module 1.

Kevin Adams (ka) - I just thought about this while working, I know its not my section but I thought it may be applicable to the course as a whole.References Shepherd, G.J., St. John, J., Striphas, T. (2006). Communication asperspectives on theory. London, New Delhi.

Transcendence. (N.D.). In the Merriam Webster Dictionary online. Retrieved from http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/transcendent