Prudence is considered the measure of moral virtues since it provides a model of ethically good actions. âThe work of art is true and real by its correspondence with the pattern of its prototype in the mind of the artist.
Under common law, to constitute defamation, a claim must generally be false and must have been made to someone other than the person defamed. Some common law jurisdictions also distinguish between spoken defamation, called slander, and defamation in other media such as printed words or images, called libel.
Note: This page covers information specific to California. For general information concerning defamation, see the Defamation Law section of this guide. California Elements of Defamation. Defamation, which consists of both libel and slander, is defined by case law and statute in California. See Cal. Civ. Code Â§Â§ 44, 45a, and 46. The elements of a defamation claim are: publication of a statement of fact. that is false,*. unprivileged, has a natural tendency to injure or which causes special damage, and. the defendant's fault in publishing the statement amounted to at least negligence.