Rhetoric Class Notes 1.4.07

(Originally written January 4, 2007 in Book 12)

Definitions:

Rhetoric - an antistrophos to dialectic (30)
Rhetoric - an ability, in each case to see the available means of persuasion (37) [main def.]
Rhetoric - knowledge of the available means of persuasion and looking at all possible outcomes (266)
Rhetoric - an offshoot of dialectic (39)

Rhetoric is not a product! Rhetoric is a process

Canon of Rhetoric
-Invention
-Arrangement
-Style
-Memory
-Delivery

Dialectic v. Rhetoric

Similarities:
-Each deal with universal questions
-Each deal with questions that do not belong to a specific science or art
-Each can reason on both sides
-Each starts with endoxa (common opinions)

Differences
- In purpose, dialectic tests an argument; rhetoric defends an idea or self.
- In practitioner, dialectic has expert dialecticians; rhetoric is done by ordinary citizens
- In Method, dialectic is Socratic, in rhetoric it is speech
- In issue, dialectic deals with generalities, rhetoric deals with particulars
- In audience, dialectic audience is small, rhetoric audience is large
- In argument, dialectic uses syllogism, rhetoric uses enthymeme
- In proofs, dialectic uses argument, rhetoric uses argument, character and emotions

Dialectic is part of rhetoric, but rhetoric does not always have to use dialectic.

Rhetoric deals with debatable and refutable things.

Rhetoric is a combination of analytic knowledge (dialectic) and knowledge of characters.

Does Aristotle mean pathos in the way we understand psychology?

Rhetoric includes:
1) Knowledge of logic
2) Knowledge of pathos
3) A grasp of constitutional politics
4) a basis of common beliefs

Rhetoric:
-Ability
-Tool
-Needs knowledge on content/subject

Audiences

Rhetoric must consider emotions and values of the audience.

Enthymeme is the foundation of Rhetoric

An enthymeme is to Rhetoric as a syllogism is to logic (dialectic)

Enthymeme is a claim (Aristotle: proposition) and a reason (for/because).

Enthymeme - something in the mind

Enthymemes are based on:
1) Facts (not usual)
2) Theories
3) Cultural Assumptions

Enthymemes are derived from
1) Probability
2) Signs

Enthymeme (aka Rhetorical syllogism)

Structure of an Enthymeme
1) State the claim (topoi)
2) Back it up with reason

Enthymemes are about general and specific things

Contradiction?

Aristotle's three most common general propositions rhetoricians must know"
1) Advantageous and opposite
2) Just and Unjust
3) Honorable and Dishonorable

Dissection of Aristotle's Enthymemes:
"Rhetoric is an antistrophos to dialectic" [The claim] "for both are concerned with such things as are..." [The reason]

"There is persuasion through character [Claim]... for we believe fair-minded people..." [Reason]

Claim is normally separated from the reason by "for" or "because"

Reasons normally follow the claim, but it can go both ways. "Claim for the Reason" or "Reasons for the claim".

Example and Sign

A necessary sign (tekmerion) is a thing that follows that demands a prior thing to have occurred.

A contingent sign is a thing that follows that states a prior thing may have, but not necessarily, happened.

Logic/Logos components:
-Enthymeme (most important)
-Signs
-Examples

Non-artistic components of Logic/Logs
-Documents
-Witnesses
-Torture

Types of Rhetoric
1) Deliberative
2) Judicial
3) Demonstrative