Propaganda and the Ethics of Persuasion

(Broadview Press) This book begins with a brief history of early Western propaganda, but the core of the book examines the ethical implications of various forms of persuasion, not only hate propaganda but also insidious elements of more generally acceptable communication such as advertising, public relations, and government information, setting these in the context of freedom of expression. It also hopes to establish a “self-defense” resistance to propaganda. Marlin is a professor of philosophy at Carleton University in Ottawa.