Constructive Reflection

Two of the many Classical figures that influenced and shaped the meaning of Rhetoric was Plato and Aristotle. In the Classical period there was a lot differences between them that emerged from their ideas about Rhetoric. Plato believed only a select few were born with arete, which is a behavior showing high moral standards, virtue. The Sophists, who were paid teachers who traveled, believed they could teach arete to anyone. Plato argued Rhetoric was a skill (a knack). He feared conviction without knowledge. The Sophists argued that Rhetoric was a techne. A “true art”, the systematic study of art, science, or any discipline. Aristotle believed that Rhetoric is the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion. Dialectic rhetoric was conviction with knowledge. It is rigorous questioning and arguing with a small audience. There were three Rhetorical Appeals that he thought was necessary in a speech in order to persuade an audience. Ethos focuses on the rhetor’s character and credibility. Pathos is the emotion, getting people in the right mind to make a decision or to view something a certain way. Logos is the main argument and the reasoning behind it. He contributes these 3 elements to the argument that Rhetoric is a techne. Aristotle divides oratory into three categories called Rhetorical Settings. Deliberative involves action and decisions, action persuasion for the future. Epideictic is ceremonial, to praise or to blame an individual based on past decisions. Forensic/Judicial deals with the past and the future (deciding issues of justice). Kairos it the opportune or situation that shapes the rhetor’s choices regarding line of reasoning, rhetorical appeal. I really never thought about rhetoric in other way other than writing or words on paper. I never thought of it as an art and how it has to power to persuade. I have learned that rhetoric is and can be in anything you do. Well it depends what your individual opinion of rhetoric is of course. Some connections I have seen are for example in the speech George Bush gave regarding 9/11. He used Kairos and gave the  speech at the time he did. He knew his audience and used that to his advantage in that time of war. His tone of voice was calm and reassuring even through a time of panic. Bush used Pathos all throughout his speech letting his audience know they are not alone and we will get through this together, as one. He used rhetoric all throughout his speech. As we move further along in the class, I would like to know more about Rhetoric shaping education in Rome. I would like to know how the ideas of rhetoric were used throughout Rome.