William M. Sullivan

Individualism and the Tensions in American Culture@@@Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life

DOCUMENT RESUME

Can we still stand by words? or: Why rhetoric needs A pragmatic turn

Rhetorical theory has developed powerful criticisms of pretentions to objectivity, in the spirit of deconstruction and ideology critique. These critiques contain nihilistic tendencies when they become abstracted from the interactive social contexts upon which they depend for their own significance and efficacy. With a rich analysis of the social bases of communication sustained by its commitment to the project of deliberative democracy, the classic Pragmatism of John Dewey and G. H. Mead can provide an important corrective by orienting rhetorical theory toward reflective social-political engagement.

Response to Reviewers

This article presents measurements of density, optical properties and chemical composition of biomass particles produced from the combustion of rice straw. In general, I think this study employs an impressive suite of instrumentation to characterize the chemical, optical and physical properties of biomass burn particles. The article does lack a main point and there are some deficiencies in presentation. Moreover, some of the conclusions do not follow from the data as mentioned in the “Detailed Comments” that follow. The main technical problems are: