Philosophy of Communication Inquiry

Annette M. Holba (Ph.D., Duquesne University) is a professor of rhetoric at Plymouth State University. Her scholarly interests include studying and teaching rhetoric, philosophy of communication, and communication ethics in applied contexts. She has published 10 books, 40 articles, 11 book chapters, and 7 encyclopedic entries and delivered 95 scholarly presentations. Dr. Holba won the Everett Lee Hunt Book Award in 2013 for her coauthored book, An Overture to Philosophy of Communication: The Carrier of Meaning, and an ECA Journal Article of the Year award in 2015 for her essay, "In Defense of Leisure," published in Communication Quarterly. She earned the ECA Distinguished Research Fellow honor in 2021.

"I am excited about the prospect of this book and its goal to introduce students to philosophy of communication from the ground up, without expectation that students will have strong familiarity with philosophers, philosophical traditions, historical moments, or implications of their work for communication.With this work, Professor Holba satisfies a clear need within undergraduate communication curriculum."Susan Mancino, St. Mary's College"This book is exceptional in that it moves philosophy of communication to the public domain of argument and evidence. In this historical moment, there is a thin line between subjective imposition of an idea and philosophical insight. Moving philosophy of communication to the public domain shifts it from singularity of correctness to multiplicity of perspectives. It is a thoughtful primer in philosophy of communication that moves the discussion from the esoteric to the applicable, the public, and the thoughtful."Ronald C. Arnett, Duquesne University"This is a book that is needed for a Philosophy of Communication course, especially at the undergraduate level. The description and organization of the book provide the reader with a clear sense of where they are going and where they have been from chapter to chapter. Given the topic area, the content is structured so that the reader has the chance to reflect as they are reading, as well."Christina L. McDowell, Cornell University"The idea behind the good is wonderful. There is certainly a need for a good book such as this one."Cem Zeytinoglu, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania"This book is a needed addition to the study of philosophy of communication."Brent Sleasman, Winebrenner Theological Seminary