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Rhetoric (Aristotle)

Aristotle's Rhetoric (Ancient Greek: Ῥητορική, romanizedRhētorikḗ; Latin: Ars Rhetorica)[1] is an ancient Greek treatise on the art of persuasion, dating from the 4th century BCE. The English title varies: typically it is Rhetoric, the Art of Rhetoric, On Rhetoric, or a Treatise on Rhetoric.

Background edit

Aristotle is credited with developing the basics of a system of rhetoric that "thereafter served as [the] touchstone" of the discipline,[2] influencing the development of rhetorical theory from ancient through modern times. The Rhetoric is regarded by most rhetoricians as "the most important single work on persuasion ever written."[3] Alan G. Gross and Arthur Walzer concur, indicating that, just as Alfred North Whitehead considered all Western philosophy a footnote to Plato, "all subsequent rhetorical theory is but a series of responses to issues raised" by Aristotle's Rhetoric.[4]: ix–x This is largely a reflection of disciplinary divisions, dating back to Peter Ramus' attacks on Aristotelian rhetoric in the late 16th century[5] and continuing to the present.[4]: ix 

Like the other works of Aristotle that have survived from antiquity, the Rhetoric seems not to have been intended for publication, being instead a collection of his students' notes in response to his lectures. The treatise shows the development of Aristotle's thought through two different periods while he was in Athens, and illustrates Aristotle's expansion of the study of rhetoric beyond Plato's early criticism of it in the Gorgias (c. 386 BCE) as immoral, dangerous, and unworthy of serious study.[6] Plato's final dialogue on rhetoric, the Phaedrus (c. 370 BCE), offered a more moderate view of rhetoric, acknowledging its value in the hands of a true philosopher (the "midwife of the soul") for "winning the soul through discourse". This dialogue offered Aristotle, first a student and then a teacher at Plato's Academy, a more positive starting point for the development of rhetoric as an art worthy of systematic, scientific study.

Aristotle developed the Rhetoric during two periods when he was in Athens, the first, from 367–347 BCE (when he was second to Plato in the academy); and the second, from 335–322 BCE (when he was running his own school, the Lyceum).

The study of rhetoric was contested in classical Greece: on one side were the sophists, and on the other were Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The trio saw rhetoric and poetry as tools that were too often used to manipulate others by appealing to emotion and omitting facts. They accused the sophists in particular—including Gorgias and Isocrates—of this sort of manipulation. Plato blamed sophistical rhetoric for the arrest and the death of Socrates. In contrast to the emotional rhetoric and poetry of the sophists was a type of rhetoric grounded in philosophy and the pursuit of enlightenment.

Aristotle identified rhetoric as one of the three key elements—along with logic and dialectic—of philosophy. The first line of the Rhetoric is: "Rhetoric is a counterpart (antistrophe) of dialectic."[1]: I.1.1  According to Aristotle, logic is concerned with reasoning to reach scientific certainty, while dialectic and rhetoric are concerned with probability and, thus, are the branches of philosophy that are best suited to human affairs. Dialectic is a tool for philosophical debate; it is a means for skilled audiences to test probable knowledge in order to learn. Rhetoric is a tool for practical debate; it is a means for persuading a general audience using probable knowledge to resolve practical issues. Dialectic and rhetoric partner to form a system of persuasion based on knowledge instead of upon manipulation and omission.

English translation edit

Most English readers in the 20th century relied on four translations of the Rhetoric.[citation needed] The first, by Richard C. Jebb, was published in 1909.[7] The next two translations were published in the 1920s. John H. Freese's translation was published as a part of the Loeb Classical Library[8] while W. Rhys Roberts' was published as a part of the Oxford University series of works in the Classics.[9] Roberts' translation was edited and republished in 1954, and is widely available online.[10] The fourth standard translation, by Lane Cooper, came out in 1932.[11]

Not until the 1990s did another major translation of the Rhetoric appear. Published in 1991 and translated by George A. Kennedy, a leading classicist and rhetorician,[12] this work is notable for the precision of its translation and for its extensive commentary, notes, and references to modern scholarship on Aristotle and the Rhetoric. It is generally regarded today as the standard scholarly resource on the Rhetoric.[13]

Modern translations are still being produced, such as the ones published in 2008 by Joe Sachs[14] and the 2019 one by Robert C. Bartlett.[15]

Neo-Aristotelian theory edit

Rhetorical theory and criticism in the first half of the 20th century was dominated by neo-Aristotelian criticism, the tenets of which were grounded in the Rhetoric and were summed up in 1925 by Herbert Wichelns.[16][further explanation needed] (Forbes I. Hill argues that while Wichelns traditionally gets the credit for summing up neo-Aristotelian theory, Hoyt Hopewell Hudson is more deserving of this credit instead.[17])[importance?] The dominance of neo-Aristotelian criticism was "virtually unchallenged until the 1960s" and even now is considered not only as one of many approaches to criticism, but as fundamental for understanding other theoretical and critical approaches which "developed largely in response to [its] strengths and weaknesses."[18]

Overview of Book I edit

The Rhetoric consists of three books. Book I offers a general overview, presenting the purposes of rhetoric and a working definition; it also offers a detailed discussion of the major contexts and types of rhetoric. Book II discusses in detail the three means of persuasion that an orator must rely on: those grounded in credibility (ethos), in the emotions and psychology of the audience (pathos), and in patterns of reasoning (logos). Book III introduces the elements of style (word choice, metaphor, and sentence structure) and arrangement (organization). Some attention is paid to delivery, but generally the reader is referred to the Poetics for more information in that area.[19]

Many chapters in Book I cover typical deliberative argument varieties in Athenian culture.

Chapter One
Aristotle says rhetoric is the counterpart (antistrophe) of dialectic.[1]: I.1.1–2  He explains the similarities between the two but fails to comment on the differences. Here he introduces the term enthymeme.[1]: I.1.3 
Chapter Two
Aristotle defines rhetoric as the ability in a particular case to see the available means of persuasion. He defines pisteis (plural of πῐ́στῐς, pístis, lit.''trust in others, faith; means of persuasion'') as atechnic (inartistic) and entechnic (artistic). Of the pisteis provided through speech there are three: ethos, pathos, and logos. He introduces paradigms and syllogisms as means of persuasion.
Chapter Three
Aristotle introduces the three genres of rhetoric: deliberative, forensic, and epideictic rhetoric. He also touches on which "ends" the orators in each of these genres hope to reach with their persuasions—which are discussed in further detail in later chapters.[1]: I.3.5–7  Aristotle introduces these three genres by saying that "[t]he kinds of rhetoric are three in number, corresponding to the three kinds of hearers".[20]
Chapter Four
Aristotle discusses the types of political topics of deliberative rhetoric. The five most common are finance, war and peace, national defense, imports and exports, and the framing of laws.
Chapter Five
Aristotle discusses the different ethical topics of deliberative rhetoric. Aristotle identifies the telos (goal) of human action with eudaimonia ("happiness" or "flourishing") and describes the many factors contributing to it.[1]: I.5.5–18 
Chapter Six
This explains in greater detail the stoikhea (elements) of the "good" described in the previous chapter.
Chapter Seven
Introduces the term koinon of degree[clarification needed]. Discusses the "ends" of deliberative rhetoric in relation to the greater good or more advantageous.
Chapter Eight
Aristotle defines and discusses the four forms of politeia useful in deliberative rhetoric: democracy, oligarchy, aristocracy, and monarchy.
Chapter Nine
This chapter discusses the virtues and concepts of to kalon (the honorable) included in epideictic rhetoric. Aristotle describes what makes certain topics appropriate or worthy for praise or blame. He also states that it is important to highlight certain traits of the subject of praise.
Chapter Ten
Aristotle discusses what syllogisms should be derived from kategoria (accusations) and apologia (defenses) for judicial rhetoric. He also introduces the wrongdoing, which is useful for judicial rhetoric.
Chapter Eleven
This chapter discusses the many different types of hedone (pleasure) useful in judicial rhetoric to describe the motives for people doing wrong.
Chapter Twelve
This chapter, also about judicial rhetoric, discusses people's dispositions of mind and whom people wrong from motives of hedone discussed in the previous chapter. Aristotle emphasizes the importance of willingness, or intentions, of wrongdoings.
Chapter Thirteen
Aristotle classifies all acts that are just and unjust defined in judicial rhetoric. He also distinguishes what kinds of actions are fair and unfair with being just.
Chapter Fourteen
This chapter parallels the koinon described in chapter Seven. Aristotle clarifies the magnitude in relation to questions[clarification needed] of "wrongdoing" meant for judicial rhetoric.
Chapter Fifteen
Aristotle summarizes the arguments available to a speaker in dealing with evidence that supports or weakens a case. These atechnic pisteis contain laws, witnesses, contracts, tortures, and oaths.

Overview of Book II edit

Book II gives advice for all types of speeches. Aristotle's Rhetoric generally concentrates on ethos and pathos, and—as noted by Aristotle—both affect judgment. Aristotle refers to the effect of ethos and pathos on an audience since a speaker needs to exhibit these modes of persuasion.

Chapter 1 edit

In Chapter 1, Aristotle notes that emotions cause men to change their opinions and judgments. As such, emotions have specific causes and effects.[1]: II.1.2–3  A speaker can therefore employ this understanding to stimulate particular emotions from an audience. However, Aristotle states that along with pathos, the speaker must also exhibit ethos, which for Aristotle encompasses phronesis, arete, and eunoia.[1]: II.1.5–9 

Chapters 2–11 edit

Chapters 2–11 explore those emotions useful to a rhetorical speaker. Aristotle describes how to arouse these emotions in an audience so that a speaker might be able to produce the desired action successfully.[1]: II.2.27  Aristotle arranges the discussion of the emotions in opposing pairs, such as anger and calmness or friendliness and enmity. For each emotion, Aristotle discusses the person's state of mind, against whom one directs the emotion, and for what reasons.[1]: II.1.9  It is pertinent to understand all the components in order to stimulate a certain emotion within another person.

For example, to Aristotle, anger results from the feeling of belittlement.[1]: II.2.3–4  Those who become angry are distressed due to a foiling of their desires.[1]: II.2.9  The angry direct their emotion towards those who insult them or that which those people value. These insults are the reasoning behind the anger.[1]: II.2.12–27 

In this way, Aristotle defines each emotion, assesses the state of mind for those experiencing the emotion, determines to whom people direct the emotion, and reveals their reasoning behind the emotion. The significance of Aristotle's analysis stems from his idea that emotions have logical grounding and material sources.

Chapters 12–17 edit

George A. Kennedy in a note to On Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse remarks that ethos predominantly refers to the "moral character" of actions and mind. Kennedy reveals the purpose of chapters 12–17 as a demonstration to the speaker of "how his ethos must attend and adjust to the ethos of varied types of auditor if he is to address them successfully."[12]: 148  As seen in the chapters explaining the various emotions, in chapters 12–17 Aristotle focuses on the necessary means of successfully persuading an audience. Yet, in these[ambiguous] chapters, Aristotle analyzes the character of different groups of people so that a speaker might adjust his portrayed ethos in order to influence the audience.

First, he describes the young as creatures of desire, easily changeable and swiftly satisfied. The young hate to be belittled because they long for superiority.[1]: II.12.1–15  According to Aristotle, the old are distrustful, cynical, and small-minded, for unlike the young their past is long and their future short.[1]: II.13.1–5  The old do not act on desire but rather act for profit.[1]: II.13.13–14  Those in the prime of life represent the mean to Aristotle, possessing the advantages of both old and young without excess or deficiency.[1]: II.14.1  One of good birth, wealth, or power has the character of a lucky fool, a character in which insolence and arrogance breed if these good fortunes are not used to one's advantage.[1]: II.15–17 

Chapters 18–26 edit

Although Book II primarily focuses on ethos and pathos, Aristotle discusses paradigm and enthymeme as two common modes of persuasion. There are two kinds of paradigm: comparisons, referencing that which has happened before; and fables, inventing an illustration.[1]: II.20.2–3  Maxims, or succinct, clever statements about actions, serve as the conclusion of enthymemes.[1]: II.1–2  In choosing a maxim, one should assess the audience views and employ a fitting maxim.[1]: II.21.15–16  Amplification and deprecation, although not elements of an enthymeme, can contribute to refuting an opponent's enthymeme or revealing a falsehood by exposing it as just or unjust, good or evil, etc. Aristotle also mentions the koina, fallacious enthymemes, and lysis (the refutation of an opponent's enthymeme). In all of these techniques, Aristotle considers popular wisdom and audiences as a central guide. Thus, the speaker's effect on the audience serves as a key theme throughout Book II.

Book II ends with a transition to Book III. The transition concludes the discussion of pathos, ethos, paradigms, enthymemes, and maxims so that Book III may focus on delivery, style, and arrangement.

Overview of Book III edit

Book III of Aristotle's Rhetoric is often overshadowed by the first two books. While Books I and II are more systematic and address ethos, logos, and pathos, Book III is often considered a conglomeration of Greek stylistic devices on rhetoric. However, Book III contains informative material on lexis (style) which refers to the "way of saying"[1]: III.1–12  and taxis, which refers to the arrangement of words.[1]: III.13–19 

Chapters 1–12: style (lexis) edit

Chapter 1
Summarizes Book I and Book II and introduces the term hypokrisis (pronuntiatio). Aristotle argues that voice should be used to most accurately represent the given situation as exemplified by poets.[1]: III.1:3–4 
Chapter 2
Highlights aretê, which is defined as virtue or excellence. When applied to rhetoric, aretê means natural rather than forced or artificial.[1]: III.2:1-4  Metaphors are also addressed as a skill that cannot be taught and that should bestow "verbal beauty".[1]: III.2:6–13 
Chapter 3
Deals with "frigid" language. This occurs when one uses elaborate double words, archaic and rare words, added descriptive words or phrases, and inappropriate metaphors.[1]: III.3:1–4 
Chapter 4
Discusses another figurative part of speech, the simile (also known as an eikon). Similes are only occasionally useful in speech due to their poetic nature and similarity to metaphor.
Chapter 5
Addresses how to speak properly by using connectives, calling things by their specific name, avoiding terms with ambiguous meanings, observing the gender of nouns, and correctly using singular and plural words.[1]: III.5:1–6 
Chapter 6
Gives practical advice on how to amplify language by using onkos (expansiveness) and syntomia (conciseness). Not using the term circle, but giving its definition, would exemplify onkos, and using the word as the definition would exemplify syntomia.[1]: III.5:1–3 
Chapter 7
Aristotle expands on the use of appropriate style in addressing the subject. "Lexis will be appropriate if it expresses emotion and character and is proportional to the subject matter". Aristotle stresses emotion, credibility, genus (like age), and moral state as important considerations.[1]: III.7:1–6 
Chapter 8
Rhythm should be incorporated into prose to make it well "rhythmed" but not to the extent of a poem.[1]: III.8:3–7 
Chapter 9
Looks at periodic style and how it should be seen as a rhythmical unit and used to complete a thought to help understand meaning.[1]: III.9:3–4 
Chapter 10
Aristotle further highlights the metaphor and addresses how it brings about learning and enables visualization[1]: III.10:1–6 
Chapter 11
Explains why devices of style can defamiliarize language. Aristotle warns that it is inappropriate to speak in hyperbole.[1]: III.11:15 
Chapter 12
The three genres of oral and written language are deliberative, judicial, and epideictic, all of which are written by logographoi (speech writers) who are each skilled at different types of speeches. This transitions into the next set of chapters on taxis.

Chapters 13–19: parts of speech edit

Chapter 13
Covers the necessary parts of a speech which include the prosthesis (which is the statement of the proposition) and then the pistis (which is the proof of the statement), along with the prooemium (introduction) and epilogue.[1]: III.13:1–4 
Chapter 14
Discusses the prooemiun, which demonstrates how the introduction should be used in both epideictic and judicial speeches. Both have the main goal of signaling the end of the speech.[1]: III.14:1–11 
Chapter 15
Handles prejudicial attacks according to Aristotle which later on became part of stasis which is "determining the question at issue in a trial".
Chapter 16
Diēgēsis or narration is discussed and how one must work through an argument by using logos. Narration differs between epideictic, judicial, and deliberative narratives.
Chapter 17
Looks at the pistis or the proof in an oration, and how it varies in each type of speech.
Chapter 18
Erotēsis, also known as interrogation, referred to asking and demanding responses in trials during Aristotle's time. It is "most opportune when an opponent has said one thing and when if the right question is asked, an absurdity results".[1]: III.19:1 
Chapter 19
Epilogues are the conclusion of speeches and must include four things: "disposing the hearer favorably toward the speaker and unfavorably to the opponent, amplifying and minimizing, moving the hearer into emotional reactions, and giving reminder of the speech's main points".[1]: III.19:1–4 

Scholars turn to Book III to develop theories about Greek style and its contemporary relevance.[21]

Importance of deliberative rhetoric edit

Amélie Oksenberg Rorty discusses the structure and characteristics of deliberative rhetoric in her research. She cites Aristotle to persuade her audience of the characteristics of deliberative rhetoric's influential nature. "Aristotle marks as central to deliberative rhetoric: considerations of prudence and justice, the projected political and psychological consequences of the decision and the likelihood of encouraging—or entrenching—similar rebellious attitudes amongst allies."[22] The outstanding characteristic of deliberative rhetoric is practicality, Rorty argues: "the deliberative rhetorician who wishes to retain his reputation as trustworthy must pay attention to what is, in fact, actually likely to happen."[22] Additionally, Aristotle focuses on deliberative rhetoric so heavily because "it most clearly reveals the primary importance of truth as it functions within the craft of rhetoric itself."[22] A path to action is determined through deliberative rhetoric, since an individual following practical means is likely to foresee likely events and act accordingly.

In interpreting Aristotle's work on use of rhetoric, Bernard Yack discusses the vast need for public discourse and public reasoning. He states: "We deliberate together in political communities by making and listening to each other's attempts to persuade us that some future action will best serve the end that citizens share with each other... It is this shared goal that distinguishes deliberative rhetoric, and therefore public reasoning, from the other forms of rhetoric and political judgment that Aristotle examines."[23] Shared goals are of utmost importance when deliberating on an issue that affects the common good. Without such a version of deliberative rhetoric, arguments would unfairly favor the interests of power and neglect the rights of the common people.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al Aristotle. Andronicus (ed.). Rhetoric.
  2. ^ Bizzell, Patricia; Herzberg, Bruce, eds. (2001) [1989]. The Rhetorical Tradition: Readings from Classical Times to the Present (2nd ed.). New York: Bedford/St. Martin's. p. 2. ISBN 9780312148393.
  3. ^ Golden, James L.; Berquist, Goodwin F.; Coleman, William E.; Sproule, J. Michael, eds. (2010) [1976]. The rhetoric of Western thought: From the Mediterranean world to the global setting (10th ed.). Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall Hunt. p. 67. ISBN 9780757579448.
  4. ^ a b Gross, Alan G.; Walzer, Arthur E., eds. (2000). Rereading Aristotle's Rhetoric. Carbondale, Illinois: Southern Illinois University Press.
  5. ^ Ramus, Peter (1986) [1549]. "Introduction". In Murphy, James J. (ed.). Arguments in Rhetoric against Quintilian. Translated by Newlands, Carole. DeKalb, Illinois: Northern Illinois University Press. ISBN 9780875801131.
  6. ^ Griswold, Charles (December 22, 2003). . Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Archived from the original on September 14, 2006.
    • Plato. "Gorgias". Perseus Project. 465a.
  7. ^ Aristotle (1909). Sandys, John Edwin (ed.). The Rhetoric. Translated by Jebb, Richard Claverhouse. Cambridge: University Press.
  8. ^ Aristotle (1926). The "Art" of Rhetoric. Loeb Classical Library. Translated by Freese, John Henry. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
  9. ^ Aristotle (1924). Rhetorica. The Works of Aristotle. Vol. 11. Translated by Roberts, W. Rhys. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
  10. ^ e.g. Aristotle. "Rhetoric". the Internet Classics Archive. Translated by Roberts, W. Rhys.
  11. ^ Aristotle (1932) [1932]. The Rhetoric. Translated by Cooper, Lane. New York: D. Appleton-Century Co.
  12. ^ a b Aristotle (1991). On Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse. Translated by Kennedy, George A. New York/Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  13. ^ van Noorden, Sally (1993). "A translation of Aristotle's Rhetoric". The Classical Review. 43 (2): 251–252.
  14. ^ Aristotle (2009). Rhetoric. Translated by Sachs, Joe. Indianapolis, Indiana: Focus Publishing. ISBN 9781585104680.
  15. ^ Aristotle (2019). Aristotle's Art of Rhetoric. Translated by Bartlett, Robert C. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. ISBN 9780226591629.
  16. ^ Wichelns, Herbert August (1966) [1925]. "Literary Criticism of Oratory". In Bryant, Donald C. (ed.). The Rhetorical Idiom: Essays in Rhetoric, Oratory, Language, and Drama. New York: Russell & Russell. pp. 5–42.
  17. ^ Hill, Forbes I. (2005), "The "Traditional" Perspective", in Kuypers, Jim A. (ed.), The Art of Rhetorical Criticism, New York: Pearson, pp. 72–81
  18. ^ Foss, Sonja K. (1989). Rhetorical criticism: Exploration and practice. Prospect Heights, Illinois: Waveland Press. pp. 71 & 75. ISBN 9781577665861.
  19. ^ Aristotle (1984). "Introduction". In Corbett, Edward P.J. (ed.). The Rhetoric and the Poetics. Translated by Roberts, Rhys; Bywater, Ingram. pp. v–xxvi.
  20. ^ Garver, Eugene (2009). "Aristotle on the Kinds of Rhetoric". Rhetorica: A Journal of the History of Rhetoric. 27 (1): 1–18. doi:10.1525/rh.2009.27.1.1. S2CID 154463634. [Garver, Eugene (Winter 2009). "Aristotle on the Kinds of Rhetoric". International Society for the History of Rhetoric. 27 (1): 1–18. doi:10.1525/rh.2009.27.1.1. S2CID 154463634.]
  21. ^ Graff, Richard (2005). "Prose versus Poetry in Early Greek Theories of Style". Rhetorica. University of California Press. 23 (4): 303–335. doi:10.1525/rh.2005.23.4.303. JSTOR 20135896. S2CID 144730853.
  22. ^ a b c Rorty, Amelie (1996). "Exemplary Rhetorical Speeches". Essays on Aristotle's Rhetoric. Berkeley: University of California. p. 6.
  23. ^ Yack, Bernard (2006). "Rhetoric and Public Reasoning: An Aristotelian Understanding of Political Deliberation". Political Theory. p. 421.

Further reading edit

  • Perseus Project Rh.1.1.1
  • Rapp, Christof. "Aristotle's Rhetoric". In Zalta, Edward N. (ed.). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
  • Allen, Danielle S. Talking to Strangers: Anxieties of Citizenship since Brown v. Board of Education. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2004.
  • Bizzell, P. and Bruce Herzberg. (2000). The Rhetorical Tradition: Readings from Classical Times to the Present. NY: Bedford/St. Martin's. p. 3.
  • Garver, Eugene. Aristotle's Rhetoric: An Art of Character. The University of Chicago Press, 1995.
  • Golden, James L., Goodwin F. Berquist, William E. Coleman, Ruth Golden and J. Michael Sproule (eds.). (2007). The rhetoric of Western thought: From the Mediterranean world to the global setting, 9th ed. Dubuque, IA (USA).
  • Kennedy, George A. Aristotle, on Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse. NY/Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991.

External links edit

  •   Media related to Rhetoric (Aristotle) at Wikimedia Commons
  •   Works related to Rhetoric at Wikisource
  •   Rhetoric public domain audiobook at LibriVox

rhetoric, aristotle, aristotle, rhetoric, ancient, greek, Ῥητορική, romanized, rhētorikḗ, latin, rhetorica, ancient, greek, treatise, persuasion, dating, from, century, english, title, varies, typically, rhetoric, rhetoric, rhetoric, treatise, rhetoric, conten. Aristotle s Rhetoric Ancient Greek Ῥhtorikh romanized Rhetorikḗ Latin Ars Rhetorica 1 is an ancient Greek treatise on the art of persuasion dating from the 4th century BCE The English title varies typically it is Rhetoric the Art of Rhetoric On Rhetoric or a Treatise on Rhetoric Contents 1 Background 2 English translation 3 Neo Aristotelian theory 4 Overview of Book I 5 Overview of Book II 5 1 Chapter 1 5 2 Chapters 2 11 5 3 Chapters 12 17 5 4 Chapters 18 26 6 Overview of Book III 6 1 Chapters 1 12 style lexis 6 2 Chapters 13 19 parts of speech 7 Importance of deliberative rhetoric 8 See also 9 References 10 Further reading 11 External linksBackground editAristotle is credited with developing the basics of a system of rhetoric that thereafter served as the touchstone of the discipline 2 influencing the development of rhetorical theory from ancient through modern times The Rhetoric is regarded by most rhetoricians as the most important single work on persuasion ever written 3 Alan G Gross and Arthur Walzer concur indicating that just as Alfred North Whitehead considered all Western philosophy a footnote to Plato all subsequent rhetorical theory is but a series of responses to issues raised by Aristotle s Rhetoric 4 ix x This is largely a reflection of disciplinary divisions dating back to Peter Ramus attacks on Aristotelian rhetoric in the late 16th century 5 and continuing to the present 4 ix Like the other works of Aristotle that have survived from antiquity the Rhetoric seems not to have been intended for publication being instead a collection of his students notes in response to his lectures The treatise shows the development of Aristotle s thought through two different periods while he was in Athens and illustrates Aristotle s expansion of the study of rhetoric beyond Plato s early criticism of it in the Gorgias c 386 BCE as immoral dangerous and unworthy of serious study 6 Plato s final dialogue on rhetoric the Phaedrus c 370 BCE offered a more moderate view of rhetoric acknowledging its value in the hands of a true philosopher the midwife of the soul for winning the soul through discourse This dialogue offered Aristotle first a student and then a teacher at Plato s Academy a more positive starting point for the development of rhetoric as an art worthy of systematic scientific study Aristotle developed the Rhetoric during two periods when he was in Athens the first from 367 347 BCE when he was second to Plato in the academy and the second from 335 322 BCE when he was running his own school the Lyceum The study of rhetoric was contested in classical Greece on one side were the sophists and on the other were Socrates Plato and Aristotle The trio saw rhetoric and poetry as tools that were too often used to manipulate others by appealing to emotion and omitting facts They accused the sophists in particular including Gorgias and Isocrates of this sort of manipulation Plato blamed sophistical rhetoric for the arrest and the death of Socrates In contrast to the emotional rhetoric and poetry of the sophists was a type of rhetoric grounded in philosophy and the pursuit of enlightenment Aristotle identified rhetoric as one of the three key elements along with logic and dialectic of philosophy The first line of the Rhetoric is Rhetoric is a counterpart antistrophe of dialectic 1 I 1 1 According to Aristotle logic is concerned with reasoning to reach scientific certainty while dialectic and rhetoric are concerned with probability and thus are the branches of philosophy that are best suited to human affairs Dialectic is a tool for philosophical debate it is a means for skilled audiences to test probable knowledge in order to learn Rhetoric is a tool for practical debate it is a means for persuading a general audience using probable knowledge to resolve practical issues Dialectic and rhetoric partner to form a system of persuasion based on knowledge instead of upon manipulation and omission English translation editMost English readers in the 20th century relied on four translations of the Rhetoric citation needed The first by Richard C Jebb was published in 1909 7 The next two translations were published in the 1920s John H Freese s translation was published as a part of the Loeb Classical Library 8 while W Rhys Roberts was published as a part of the Oxford University series of works in the Classics 9 Roberts translation was edited and republished in 1954 and is widely available online 10 The fourth standard translation by Lane Cooper came out in 1932 11 Not until the 1990s did another major translation of the Rhetoric appear Published in 1991 and translated by George A Kennedy a leading classicist and rhetorician 12 this work is notable for the precision of its translation and for its extensive commentary notes and references to modern scholarship on Aristotle and the Rhetoric It is generally regarded today as the standard scholarly resource on the Rhetoric 13 Modern translations are still being produced such as the ones published in 2008 by Joe Sachs 14 and the 2019 one by Robert C Bartlett 15 Neo Aristotelian theory editMain article Neo Aristotelianism rhetorical criticism Rhetorical theory and criticism in the first half of the 20th century was dominated by neo Aristotelian criticism the tenets of which were grounded in the Rhetoric and were summed up in 1925 by Herbert Wichelns 16 further explanation needed Forbes I Hill argues that while Wichelns traditionally gets the credit for summing up neo Aristotelian theory Hoyt Hopewell Hudson is more deserving of this credit instead 17 importance The dominance of neo Aristotelian criticism was virtually unchallenged until the 1960s and even now is considered not only as one of many approaches to criticism but as fundamental for understanding other theoretical and critical approaches which developed largely in response to its strengths and weaknesses 18 Overview of Book I editThe Rhetoric consists of three books Book I offers a general overview presenting the purposes of rhetoric and a working definition it also offers a detailed discussion of the major contexts and types of rhetoric Book II discusses in detail the three means of persuasion that an orator must rely on those grounded in credibility ethos in the emotions and psychology of the audience pathos and in patterns of reasoning logos Book III introduces the elements of style word choice metaphor and sentence structure and arrangement organization Some attention is paid to delivery but generally the reader is referred to the Poetics for more information in that area 19 Many chapters in Book I cover typical deliberative argument varieties in Athenian culture Chapter One Aristotle says rhetoric is the counterpart antistrophe of dialectic 1 I 1 1 2 He explains the similarities between the two but fails to comment on the differences Here he introduces the term enthymeme 1 I 1 3 Chapter Two Aristotle defines rhetoric as the ability in a particular case to see the available means of persuasion He defines pisteis plural of pῐ stῐs pistis lit trust in others faith means of persuasion as atechnic inartistic and entechnic artistic Of the pisteis provided through speech there are three ethos pathos and logos He introduces paradigms and syllogisms as means of persuasion Chapter Three Aristotle introduces the three genres of rhetoric deliberative forensic and epideictic rhetoric He also touches on which ends the orators in each of these genres hope to reach with their persuasions which are discussed in further detail in later chapters 1 I 3 5 7 Aristotle introduces these three genres by saying that t he kinds of rhetoric are three in number corresponding to the three kinds of hearers 20 Chapter Four Aristotle discusses the types of political topics of deliberative rhetoric The five most common are finance war and peace national defense imports and exports and the framing of laws Chapter Five Aristotle discusses the different ethical topics of deliberative rhetoric Aristotle identifies the telos goal of human action with eudaimonia happiness or flourishing and describes the many factors contributing to it 1 I 5 5 18 Chapter Six This explains in greater detail the stoikhea elements of the good described in the previous chapter Chapter Seven Introduces the term koinon of degree clarification needed Discusses the ends of deliberative rhetoric in relation to the greater good or more advantageous Chapter Eight Aristotle defines and discusses the four forms of politeia useful in deliberative rhetoric democracy oligarchy aristocracy and monarchy Chapter Nine This chapter discusses the virtues and concepts of to kalon the honorable included in epideictic rhetoric Aristotle describes what makes certain topics appropriate or worthy for praise or blame He also states that it is important to highlight certain traits of the subject of praise Chapter Ten Aristotle discusses what syllogisms should be derived from kategoria accusations and apologia defenses for judicial rhetoric He also introduces the wrongdoing which is useful for judicial rhetoric Chapter Eleven This chapter discusses the many different types of hedone pleasure useful in judicial rhetoric to describe the motives for people doing wrong Chapter Twelve This chapter also about judicial rhetoric discusses people s dispositions of mind and whom people wrong from motives of hedone discussed in the previous chapter Aristotle emphasizes the importance of willingness or intentions of wrongdoings Chapter Thirteen Aristotle classifies all acts that are just and unjust defined in judicial rhetoric He also distinguishes what kinds of actions are fair and unfair with being just Chapter Fourteen This chapter parallels the koinon described in chapter Seven Aristotle clarifies the magnitude in relation to questions clarification needed of wrongdoing meant for judicial rhetoric Chapter Fifteen Aristotle summarizes the arguments available to a speaker in dealing with evidence that supports or weakens a case These atechnic pisteis contain laws witnesses contracts tortures and oaths Overview of Book II editBook II gives advice for all types of speeches Aristotle s Rhetoric generally concentrates on ethos and pathos and as noted by Aristotle both affect judgment Aristotle refers to the effect of ethos and pathos on an audience since a speaker needs to exhibit these modes of persuasion Chapter 1 edit In Chapter 1 Aristotle notes that emotions cause men to change their opinions and judgments As such emotions have specific causes and effects 1 II 1 2 3 A speaker can therefore employ this understanding to stimulate particular emotions from an audience However Aristotle states that along with pathos the speaker must also exhibit ethos which for Aristotle encompasses phronesis arete and eunoia 1 II 1 5 9 Chapters 2 11 edit Chapters 2 11 explore those emotions useful to a rhetorical speaker Aristotle describes how to arouse these emotions in an audience so that a speaker might be able to produce the desired action successfully 1 II 2 27 Aristotle arranges the discussion of the emotions in opposing pairs such as anger and calmness or friendliness and enmity For each emotion Aristotle discusses the person s state of mind against whom one directs the emotion and for what reasons 1 II 1 9 It is pertinent to understand all the components in order to stimulate a certain emotion within another person For example to Aristotle anger results from the feeling of belittlement 1 II 2 3 4 Those who become angry are distressed due to a foiling of their desires 1 II 2 9 The angry direct their emotion towards those who insult them or that which those people value These insults are the reasoning behind the anger 1 II 2 12 27 In this way Aristotle defines each emotion assesses the state of mind for those experiencing the emotion determines to whom people direct the emotion and reveals their reasoning behind the emotion The significance of Aristotle s analysis stems from his idea that emotions have logical grounding and material sources Chapters 12 17 edit George A Kennedy in a note to On Rhetoric A Theory of Civic Discourse remarks that ethos predominantly refers to the moral character of actions and mind Kennedy reveals the purpose of chapters 12 17 as a demonstration to the speaker of how his ethos must attend and adjust to the ethos of varied types of auditor if he is to address them successfully 12 148 As seen in the chapters explaining the various emotions in chapters 12 17 Aristotle focuses on the necessary means of successfully persuading an audience Yet in these ambiguous chapters Aristotle analyzes the character of different groups of people so that a speaker might adjust his portrayed ethos in order to influence the audience First he describes the young as creatures of desire easily changeable and swiftly satisfied The young hate to be belittled because they long for superiority 1 II 12 1 15 According to Aristotle the old are distrustful cynical and small minded for unlike the young their past is long and their future short 1 II 13 1 5 The old do not act on desire but rather act for profit 1 II 13 13 14 Those in the prime of life represent the mean to Aristotle possessing the advantages of both old and young without excess or deficiency 1 II 14 1 One of good birth wealth or power has the character of a lucky fool a character in which insolence and arrogance breed if these good fortunes are not used to one s advantage 1 II 15 17 Chapters 18 26 edit Although Book II primarily focuses on ethos and pathos Aristotle discusses paradigm and enthymeme as two common modes of persuasion There are two kinds of paradigm comparisons referencing that which has happened before and fables inventing an illustration 1 II 20 2 3 Maxims or succinct clever statements about actions serve as the conclusion of enthymemes 1 II 1 2 In choosing a maxim one should assess the audience views and employ a fitting maxim 1 II 21 15 16 Amplification and deprecation although not elements of an enthymeme can contribute to refuting an opponent s enthymeme or revealing a falsehood by exposing it as just or unjust good or evil etc Aristotle also mentions the koina fallacious enthymemes and lysis the refutation of an opponent s enthymeme In all of these techniques Aristotle considers popular wisdom and audiences as a central guide Thus the speaker s effect on the audience serves as a key theme throughout Book II Book II ends with a transition to Book III The transition concludes the discussion of pathos ethos paradigms enthymemes and maxims so that Book III may focus on delivery style and arrangement Overview of Book III editBook III of Aristotle s Rhetoric is often overshadowed by the first two books While Books I and II are more systematic and address ethos logos and pathos Book III is often considered a conglomeration of Greek stylistic devices on rhetoric However Book III contains informative material on lexis style which refers to the way of saying 1 III 1 12 and taxis which refers to the arrangement of words 1 III 13 19 Chapters 1 12 style lexis edit Chapter 1 Summarizes Book I and Book II and introduces the term hypokrisis pronuntiatio Aristotle argues that voice should be used to most accurately represent the given situation as exemplified by poets 1 III 1 3 4 Chapter 2 Highlights arete which is defined as virtue or excellence When applied to rhetoric arete means natural rather than forced or artificial 1 III 2 1 4 Metaphors are also addressed as a skill that cannot be taught and that should bestow verbal beauty 1 III 2 6 13 Chapter 3 Deals with frigid language This occurs when one uses elaborate double words archaic and rare words added descriptive words or phrases and inappropriate metaphors 1 III 3 1 4 Chapter 4 Discusses another figurative part of speech the simile also known as an eikon Similes are only occasionally useful in speech due to their poetic nature and similarity to metaphor Chapter 5 Addresses how to speak properly by using connectives calling things by their specific name avoiding terms with ambiguous meanings observing the gender of nouns and correctly using singular and plural words 1 III 5 1 6 Chapter 6 Gives practical advice on how to amplify language by using onkos expansiveness and syntomia conciseness Not using the term circle but giving its definition would exemplify onkos and using the word as the definition would exemplify syntomia 1 III 5 1 3 Chapter 7 Aristotle expands on the use of appropriate style in addressing the subject Lexis will be appropriate if it expresses emotion and character and is proportional to the subject matter Aristotle stresses emotion credibility genus like age and moral state as important considerations 1 III 7 1 6 Chapter 8 Rhythm should be incorporated into prose to make it well rhythmed but not to the extent of a poem 1 III 8 3 7 Chapter 9 Looks at periodic style and how it should be seen as a rhythmical unit and used to complete a thought to help understand meaning 1 III 9 3 4 Chapter 10 Aristotle further highlights the metaphor and addresses how it brings about learning and enables visualization 1 III 10 1 6 Chapter 11 Explains why devices of style can defamiliarize language Aristotle warns that it is inappropriate to speak in hyperbole 1 III 11 15 Chapter 12 The three genres of oral and written language are deliberative judicial and epideictic all of which are written by logographoi speech writers who are each skilled at different types of speeches This transitions into the next set of chapters on taxis Chapters 13 19 parts of speech edit Chapter 13 Covers the necessary parts of a speech which include the prosthesis which is the statement of the proposition and then the pistis which is the proof of the statement along with the prooemium introduction and epilogue 1 III 13 1 4 Chapter 14 Discusses the prooemiun which demonstrates how the introduction should be used in both epideictic and judicial speeches Both have the main goal of signaling the end of the speech 1 III 14 1 11 Chapter 15 Handles prejudicial attacks according to Aristotle which later on became part of stasis which is determining the question at issue in a trial Chapter 16 Diegesis or narration is discussed and how one must work through an argument by using logos Narration differs between epideictic judicial and deliberative narratives Chapter 17 Looks at the pistis or the proof in an oration and how it varies in each type of speech Chapter 18 Erotesis also known as interrogation referred to asking and demanding responses in trials during Aristotle s time It is most opportune when an opponent has said one thing and when if the right question is asked an absurdity results 1 III 19 1 Chapter 19 Epilogues are the conclusion of speeches and must include four things disposing the hearer favorably toward the speaker and unfavorably to the opponent amplifying and minimizing moving the hearer into emotional reactions and giving reminder of the speech s main points 1 III 19 1 4 Scholars turn to Book III to develop theories about Greek style and its contemporary relevance 21 Importance of deliberative rhetoric editAmelie Oksenberg Rorty discusses the structure and characteristics of deliberative rhetoric in her research She cites Aristotle to persuade her audience of the characteristics of deliberative rhetoric s influential nature Aristotle marks as central to deliberative rhetoric considerations of prudence and justice the projected political and psychological consequences of the decision and the likelihood of encouraging or entrenching similar rebellious attitudes amongst allies 22 The outstanding characteristic of deliberative rhetoric is practicality Rorty argues the deliberative rhetorician who wishes to retain his reputation as trustworthy must pay attention to what is in fact actually likely to happen 22 Additionally Aristotle focuses on deliberative rhetoric so heavily because it most clearly reveals the primary importance of truth as it functions within the craft of rhetoric itself 22 A path to action is determined through deliberative rhetoric since an individual following practical means is likely to foresee likely events and act accordingly In interpreting Aristotle s work on use of rhetoric Bernard Yack discusses the vast need for public discourse and public reasoning He states We deliberate together in political communities by making and listening to each other s attempts to persuade us that some future action will best serve the end that citizens share with each other It is this shared goal that distinguishes deliberative rhetoric and therefore public reasoning from the other forms of rhetoric and political judgment that Aristotle examines 23 Shared goals are of utmost importance when deliberating on an issue that affects the common good Without such a version of deliberative rhetoric arguments would unfairly favor the interests of power and neglect the rights of the common people See also editEnthymeme The Art of Being Right Contra principia negantem disputari non potest War from the Ground Up book partially based on Aristotle s RhetoricReferences edit a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al Aristotle Andronicus ed Rhetoric Bizzell Patricia Herzberg Bruce eds 2001 1989 The Rhetorical Tradition Readings from Classical Times to the Present 2nd ed New York Bedford St Martin s p 2 ISBN 9780312148393 Golden James L Berquist Goodwin F Coleman William E Sproule J Michael eds 2010 1976 The rhetoric of Western thought From the Mediterranean world to the global setting 10th ed Dubuque Iowa Kendall Hunt p 67 ISBN 9780757579448 a b Gross Alan G Walzer Arthur E eds 2000 Rereading Aristotle s Rhetoric Carbondale Illinois Southern Illinois University Press Ramus Peter 1986 1549 Introduction In Murphy James J ed Arguments in Rhetoric against Quintilian Translated by Newlands Carole DeKalb Illinois Northern Illinois University Press ISBN 9780875801131 Griswold Charles December 22 2003 Plato on Rhetoric and Poetry Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Archived from the original on September 14 2006 Plato Gorgias Perseus Project 465a Aristotle 1909 Sandys John Edwin ed The Rhetoric Translated by Jebb Richard Claverhouse Cambridge University Press Aristotle 1926 The Art of Rhetoric Loeb Classical Library Translated by Freese John Henry Cambridge Harvard University Press Aristotle 1924 Rhetorica The Works of Aristotle Vol 11 Translated by Roberts W Rhys Oxford Clarendon Press e g Aristotle Rhetoric the Internet Classics Archive Translated by Roberts W Rhys Aristotle 1932 1932 The Rhetoric Translated by Cooper Lane New York D Appleton Century Co a b Aristotle 1991 On Rhetoric A Theory of Civic Discourse Translated by Kennedy George A New York Oxford Oxford University Press van Noorden Sally 1993 A translation of Aristotle s Rhetoric The Classical Review 43 2 251 252 Aristotle 2009 Rhetoric Translated by Sachs Joe Indianapolis Indiana Focus Publishing ISBN 9781585104680 Aristotle 2019 Aristotle s Art of Rhetoric Translated by Bartlett Robert C Chicago The University of Chicago Press ISBN 9780226591629 Wichelns Herbert August 1966 1925 Literary Criticism of Oratory In Bryant Donald C ed The Rhetorical Idiom Essays in Rhetoric Oratory Language and Drama New York Russell amp Russell pp 5 42 Hill Forbes I 2005 The Traditional Perspective in Kuypers Jim A ed The Art of Rhetorical Criticism New York Pearson pp 72 81 Foss Sonja K 1989 Rhetorical criticism Exploration and practice Prospect Heights Illinois Waveland Press pp 71 amp 75 ISBN 9781577665861 Aristotle 1984 Introduction In Corbett Edward P J ed The Rhetoric and the Poetics Translated by Roberts Rhys Bywater Ingram pp v xxvi Garver Eugene 2009 Aristotle on the Kinds of Rhetoric Rhetorica A Journal of the History of Rhetoric 27 1 1 18 doi 10 1525 rh 2009 27 1 1 S2CID 154463634 Garver Eugene Winter 2009 Aristotle on the Kinds of Rhetoric International Society for the History of Rhetoric 27 1 1 18 doi 10 1525 rh 2009 27 1 1 S2CID 154463634 Graff Richard 2005 Prose versus Poetry in Early Greek Theories of Style Rhetorica University of California Press 23 4 303 335 doi 10 1525 rh 2005 23 4 303 JSTOR 20135896 S2CID 144730853 a b c Rorty Amelie 1996 Exemplary Rhetorical Speeches Essays on Aristotle s Rhetoric Berkeley University of California p 6 Yack Bernard 2006 Rhetoric and Public Reasoning An Aristotelian Understanding of Political Deliberation Political Theory p 421 Further reading editPerseus Project Rh 1 1 1 Rapp Christof Aristotle s Rhetoric In Zalta Edward N ed Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Allen Danielle S Talking to Strangers Anxieties of Citizenship since Brown v Board of Education Chicago University of Chicago Press 2004 Bizzell P and Bruce Herzberg 2000 The Rhetorical Tradition Readings from Classical Times to the Present NY Bedford St Martin s p 3 Garver Eugene Aristotle s Rhetoric An Art of Character The University of Chicago Press 1995 Golden James L Goodwin F Berquist William E Coleman Ruth Golden and J Michael Sproule eds 2007 The rhetoric of Western thought From the Mediterranean world to the global setting 9th ed Dubuque IA USA Kennedy George A Aristotle on Rhetoric A Theory of Civic Discourse NY Oxford Oxford University Press 1991 External links edit nbsp Media related to Rhetoric Aristotle at Wikimedia Commons nbsp Works related to Rhetoric at Wikisource nbsp Rhetoric public domain audiobook at LibriVox Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rhetoric Aristotle amp oldid 1198297568, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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