The Cave, then, Aristotle and Isocrates CIV February 10, 2016

Allegory of the Cave

Allegory of the Cave Prisoners think that the shadows are real. A philosopher who learns the truth of forms might be blinded at first, but would, eventually, understand. But the prisoners might well find that sage to be a lunatic and cast her/him out. Ours is a world of shadows, not true forms.

Aristotle on Rhetoric FOUR REASONS THAT RHETORIC IS USEFUL – To uphold the truth – To teach – To analyze issues thoroughly, both sides (and more) – To defend oneself (and the right)

Utilitarian rather than ideal Amorality: Can be put to good use – Protects against the bad guys – Promotes the good/truth Effective Political leadership Effective Education – Not everyone is an expert (and can use demonstration). One must also teach the masses. Aristotle on Rhetoric

THE ART OF DISCOVERING IN ANY GIVEN CASE WHAT ARE THE MEANS OF PERSUASION. – Art (principles flexibly applied) – Discovery (focused on the research, not on the performance) – Persuasion (toward effective speech) – In any given case (always flexible to the event, needs, audience, etc.) Audience Analysis is crucial Aristotle on Rhetoric

Artistic Proofs – Those that come from the speaker Ethos (Speaker Credibility) Pathos (Emotions) Logical Argument Inartistic Proofs – Can be used, but come from outside the speaker and are less important. Aristotle on Rhetoric

Logical Argument – Enthymeme Omits part of the full syllogism – Call to audience participation – Relief from detail Topoi – Common topics (e.g., size; comparative orientation) – Special topics (e.g., in medicine: patient’s medical history, exposures, symptoms, treatments, effects/results) – Lines of argument (e.g., lessor to more; opposite effects; correlations) Aristotle on Rhetoric

Isocrates When one educates, one works via – Students’ natural abilities – educated training – extensive practice – instruction by the teacher – modeling via teacher performance. His curricula: – Science, math, writing, debate, classical prose and poetry (literature), philosophy, and history. The Father of Liberal Education

Education must combine theories, models, practice, with teacher instruction and demonstrations. Check (correct) negative models Encourage positive models Isocrates

We ought, therefore, to think of the art of discourse just as we think of the other arts that power which, of all the faculties which belong to the nature of man, is the source of most of our blessings. For in the other powers which we possess... we are in no respect superior to other living creatures Isocrates

but, because there has been implanted in us the power to persuade each other and to make clear to each other whatever we desire, not only have we escaped the life of wild beasts, but we have come together and founded cities and made laws and invented arts; and, generally speaking, there is no institution devised by man which the power of speech has not helped us to establish. Isocrates