Two Key words

epistime: subject knowledge

Techne: the “art,” or capability of knowing how to do something.

Plato: Well known Dialectic who challenged sophists. Feared the slipperyness of words and the corruption of ones soul through the use of rhetoric. Believes sophist have no epistime about what they are talking about.

Aristotle: Former Plato student, believes that there is epistime in the art of rhetoric. That one must have knowledge of pisteis in order to be successful.

Question: Compare and contrast Plato and Aristotle’s belief by laying out the basic framework of their beliefs on rhetoric. Then, choose a side and defend it with a well supported thesis that draws from readings and class notes or debate.