Month: November 2017

My current definition of rhetoric is a combination of a broad understanding that rhetoric is the art of language and how it can be bent to do many specific jobs. It can refer to public speaking, like in a court, and therefore be directed towards persuasion. Another specific job, could be to provide an audience with either of the pisteis, which are ethos, pathos, and logos. Now with the introduction of a more secular way of thinking, Humanism, I am pulled more towards the job of persuasion of rhetoric and the proving rhetoric is used to do. Some examples of rhetoric being seen in the era we are discussing includes the printing press (Bible) and civic persuasion (the rise of the “everyday” man, running for higher positions, like Mayor.

To be continued…

Rhetoric undergoes some major changes from the time of its born as an art in ancient Greece to the time it is expanded and further developed within Christian Europe. Dating back to the ancient Greeks, rhetoric was debated not only on meaning, but also on what it should be applied to. Plato and Aristotle took separate stands on whether rhetoric should be considered an area of expertise, let alone an art of its own. Later on, during the Roman Empire rule in Europe, Cicero and Quintilian debate again the true meaning of rhetoric and how it should be used, or not used. They agree on the use and perfection of rhetoric in the courts, however, they disagree on vital points about how rhetoric should stand morally and how epideictic oration should be delivered. (Who, what, when, and where… and why). For example somebody should be praised for a selfless act, as long as it is the right timing, for instance in court, and the person should be praised as long as they did the good deed without expecting anything in return. As far as history can place rhetoric, it has been debated what the true meaning or definition is. Personally I have studied more of ancient Greek’s use of rhetoric, therefore, pulling me to appreciate the Greeks definitions and uses of rhetoric.