Aristotle on "Rhetoric"

Term Paper # 99763

Communication
Philosophy > Ancient Greek

An review of Aristotle's theory of rhetoric as found in his work entitled, "Rhetoric".

3,130 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2006 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Aristotle's theory on rhetoric. The paper discusses Aristotle's philosophy as found in his work "Rhetoric" and defines what he means by the term rhetoric. The paper also shows how Aristotle's work is closely based on the Greek philosopher, Pericles' work "Funeral Oration." The paper then goes on to discusses the philosophies on rhetoric of Plato and Isocrates.

From the Paper:

"What does it mean to be human? By comparison through contrast to non-humans, humans are "decision-making creatures capable of overruling [their] own instincts." It naturally follows that those tools which enable humans to exhibit these unique characteristics are the most essential to human existence and evolution. For thousands of years, Rhetoric has proved to be this ubiquitous tool. Rhetoric is a device by which humans can explore and explain the otherwise unexplainable, persuade others of the subsequently derived probabilities, and fulfill these tasks all the while integrating emotion and psychology into the process. No other art, science, or communicative tool can match the intellectual potential inherent in rhetoric. Aristotle's work Rhetoric, titled after the exclusive nature of its content, explicates the enigmatic definition of rhetoric in the first book of the three-part series, and suggests ways to employ rhetoric for any conceivable end in the second and third parts. In his opening chapter, Aristotle defines rhetoric as the ability to "see the persuasive and the apparently persuasive" in any case. Proceeding from this definition, Aristotle explains the means of persuasion, the importance of projected character in persuasion, and the importance of understanding and incorporating the desired end in any case involving persuasion. While the Greek philosopher, Pericles, lived nearly a century before Aristotle published Rhetoric, one the elder's works, "Funeral Oration" functions almost flawlessly as a model for Aristotle's theory of rhetoric. Aristotle's emphasis on pathos and ethos as highly useful means of persuasion as well as his prescription for effective epideictic rhetoric seem to be written following the precise form of "Funeral Oration." Whether one influenced another is irrelevant; the greater significance lies in the irrefutable, tremendous impact each work imparted on the future of rhetoric."

Sample of Sources Used:

Aristotle. Aristotle on Rhetoric. Trans. George A. Kennedy. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991.
"Isocrates." Packet for Communications 250, Pp. 67
Pericles. Funeral Oration.
Plato. Apology. Trans. Benjamin Jewett.