Cultivating reasonable persuasion in a fractured world
Over the last decade, the quality of political, public, and social discussions has been negatively affected by behaviours and phenomena such as disinformation and misinformation, hate speech, populist and extremist rhetoric, polarised debates, and mutual distrust. Beyond the political sphere, these problems are increasingly experienced in everyday life as well—within families, communities, and workplaces—signalling a widespread struggle to engage in open and trustful dialogue. As a consequence, scepticism toward persuasion—its ethical legitimacy and its contribution to fostering human encounter—has emerged. In fact, questions concerning the value of persuasion have a long history, dating back to Antiquity and the birth of Classical Rhetoric, which was closely connected to the attempt to develop democratic forms of social interaction. The panel takes inspiration from Aristotle’s ethical optimism to discuss the delicate relationship between reason (argumentation) and persuasion, and its implications for dialogue, knowledge, and peace. The speakers will also highlight the importance of educating both younger and older generations in persuasion, as well as the limitations of some widespread debate-simulating activities in fulfilling this educational exigency.
speakers
Dr Rudi Palmieri
Rudi Palmieri is Associate Professor of Strategic Communication at the University of Liverpool, where is the founding director of the MSc Programme in Strategic Communication and co-director of the Language, Data and Society Research Centre. His research examines argumentation and rhetoric in different areas of strategic communication (such as finance, entrepreneurship, crisis management) with a particular focus on the dynamics of trust-building and trust-repair communication. He has published extensively in world leading communication journals and regularly delivers university courses and professional training sessions in the UK and overseas.
Prof Andrea Rocci
Andrea Rocci is a full professor of language sciences and a leading scholar in argumentation, pragmatics, semantics, and discourse analysis at the Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano, Switzerland. He serves as Director (and in some profiles Deputy Director) of the Institute of Argumentation, Linguistics and Semiotics and co-directs the Master programme in European Studies in Investor Relations and Financial Communication. His research explores how language structures reasoning and persuasive discourse across contexts such as media, finance, and public debates, and he has published extensively on these topics in books and academic journals.
Penny Roche
Penny Roche is an experienced secondary English teacher, curriculum lead, and Designated Safeguarding Lead, currently teaching in the UK after training in Australia. She works in an international IB World School, where critical thinking, research, and ethical engagement with knowledge are central to the curriculum. Her professional practice centres on developing students as creative and critical thinkers within a fragmented, multi-voiced information landscape. Through the teaching of Language and Literature, she supports young people to recognise bias, evaluate competing perspectives, and articulate their own ideas with clarity, coherence, and purpose. Her safeguarding work has further informed an interest in the subtle ways mis- and disinformation shape students’ understanding of the world and their place within it. Across her teaching and leadership roles, she is particularly concerned with how education can cultivate thoughtful, responsible communication and foster the conditions for more informed and constructive dialogue.