What Is Rhetoric

What is Rhetoric?

Introduction

Historically rhetoric has been studied and argued by philosophers, educators and mankind in general, all in an effort to offer proof of the true meaning of the word. It has been accepted by all that rhetoric is a form of communication. Whether it is considered an art of using language in a persuasive manner or it is the clever misuse of words to gain trust and to persuade, can only be determined by an individual's perception and interpretation of the words they hear.

Examples

The ancient wisdom of Plato, Gorgias and Aristotle each gave a different perception of rhetoric and its usage. Plato is perhaps the most well known philosopher in relation to rhetoric because he so adamantly opposed rhetoric as a techne, and reasoned that the Sophists who practiced and taught rhetoric were responsible for the death of his mentor and friend Socrates. Plato believed that rhetoric was the deceitful use of words in order to gain a truth. He believed that truth and justice is based on facts and not on a person's ability to manipulate public opinion (doxa) with words. For Plato, true knowledge (episteme) and the overall health of an individual or society is where justice and truth would be revealed (Herrick, 2005, page 55). He felt that rhetoric was a threat to society because its foundations were not in alliance with traditional religious beliefs of absolute authority of Gods and Kings (Herrick, 2005, page 40). For Plato, only a scholar or philosopher was capable of using rhetoric in a manner that would be for the good of society because only these men would do so without the intent of deceit.

Plato recognized the dangers and advantages the use of rhetoric would have on society, yet he never identified the fact that he utilized it in most of his speeches, writings and teachings.

Gorgias of Leontini, was one of the most significant teachers and practitioners of rhetoric. He amassed quite a fortune of wealth through teaching rhetoric and delivering public speeches. He emphasized the use of persuasive language to argue both sides of an argument (aporia) (Herrick, 2005, page 49). Gorgias was not concerned with the truth but in the ability of playing on the emotions of an audience in order to convince them of a truth. He believed that words could be used to captivate an audience by arousing emotions such as fear, pity an longing (Herrick, 2005, page 42).

Gorgias' teachings and beliefs on rhetoric contributed to a new approach to education and stimulated the minds of men to think beyond the beliefs of a traditional society.

Aristotle upheld the belief that rhetoric was a techne used to make convincing and persuasive arguments (Herrick, 2005, page 76). He believes