Only narratives can reflect the experience of objectivity: effective persuasion

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the differences between objective language and narratives and how differences affect rhetoric.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptual implications are drawn from an analysis and discussion of the literature in the fields of autopoiesis, meanings and narratives.

Findings

Only narratives convey the experience of objectivity, which makes them more effective to persuade people to change than just providing “objective” data and explanatory knowledge.

Originality/value

The paper discusses how the projection of meaning is not an experience but knowledge. Meaning is experienced as an empirical property of the perceived.

Citation

Goosseff, K.A. (2014), "Only narratives can reflect the experience of objectivity: effective persuasion", Journal of Organizational Change Management, Vol. 27 No. 5, pp. 703-709. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-09-2014-0167