The ethics of discourse: a successful initiative with an Association of Small Farmers in Brazil

Abstract

The ethics of discourse from the Theory of Communicative Action by Habermas were the subject of study with an Agricultural Community Association of Small Farmers in Valente, Bahia. The purpose was to understand how the community understood, learned, made use of and adopted the ethics of discourse in daily communications. The methodology used was action research combined with focal groups during the of six month study. The three different groups involved were made up of eight directors, ten associated producers and ten employees from the Association. Group dynamics revealed a genuine and extensive interest in the learning and practice of the ethical values of solidarity and justice. However the study also disclosed that more time was necessary to improve assimilation and development of discursive competence as a means of communicative action among participants.