1. Aristotle and Isocrates CIV 101-02 Sept. 21, 2015

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Logical Argument – Enthymeme Truncated syllogism Call to audience participation Relief from detail Topoi – Common topics – Special topics – Lines of argument Aristotle on Rhetoric

7. Types Audience TimesEndsMeans forensicdecision maker past factjustice. accusation/ defense deliberative decision maker future fact adv/disa d persuasion/ dissuasion epideicticspectator present noble/s hame praise/bl ame

8. 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

9. Education must combine theories, models, practice, with teacher instruction and demonstrations. – progymnasium (analysis, practice, and delivery of set speeches drawn from history and/or the master) – declamatio (debate). – He sent his students to the courts and the legislature to observe the best speakers. Check (correct) negative models Encourage positive models Isocrates

10. What is rhetoric – The work or science of persuasion which is a branch of philosophy able to alter our perception of things as we dispute with others and seek knowledge – Men have imperfect knowledge so struggle with probabilities (rather than ideals) – Rhetoric is useful in everyday affairs and those of state. It teaches, persuades, and leads toward knowledge. Isocrates

11. We ought, therefore, to think of the art of discourse just as we think of the other arts, and not to form opposite judgements about similar things, nor show ourselves intolerant toward 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, as I have already said on a former occasion, we are in no respect superior to other living creatures; nay, we are inferior to many in swiftness and in strength and in other resources; Isocrates

12. 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