Abstract This paper defines three words: skepticism, rhetoric, and sophism. It then combines these words into an essay. A sophist questions knowledge, but he or she is different than a skeptic. Another philosophical term is rhetoric. Rhetoric is used to persuade people to someone's philosophical view on a topic. Sophists used rhetoric in explaining their skepticism about life and different topics. "
From the Paper "Philosophical Skepticism and Rhetoric in Sophism Imagine believing that nothing exists and if something does exist, a person cannot know for sure, and if they cannot know for sure then they cannot teach it to others (Philosophy of the Sophists). People who thought this way were called Sophists. Another important philosophical term is skepticism. "Philosophical skepticism is a critical attitude which systematically questions the notion that absolute knowledge and certainty are possible" (Carroll). Another philosophical term is rhetoric, which means rhetoric. Rhetoric is used to persuade people to someone's philosophical view on a topic. Sophists used rhetoric in explaining their skepticism about life and different topics. Sophists wanted to know how a person can know something and whether what they learn can actually be truth. "The Sophists centered their efforts on the problem of knowledge as well as on the problem of morality and justice" (Classic Philosophers)."
Abstract This paper looks at two of the classical experts on rhetoric, two philosophers, two ancient thinkers from Greece - Plato and Aristotle - who while they were close had differing opinions and beliefs regarding this art and way of thinking and arguing. The following essay looks at Plato's Gorgias and Phaedrus in order to study just what this man's thoughts on rhetoric were. Then the focus shifts to Aristotle, whose Rhetoric and Poetics will reveal this philosopher's wisdom on the subject.
From the Paper "Aristotle and Plato on Rhetoric "Rhetoric" is a term thrown around too often today, with the user most likely having no clue of its meaning or rich background. From "rhetorical" questions to claims of politicians merely using "rhetoric," too many times the term and overall idea is exercised without a complete understanding of exactly what "rhetoric" is."
Abstract This paper offers a character analysis of Creon in the play Oedipus the King, with an emphasis on human nature. One aspect of human nature that is explored is what Aristotle referred to as the art of rhetoric. The paper's main focus is Creon's use of the art of persuasion. The paper uses Aristotle's "Rhetoric" as the basis for the analysis, and as a secondary source.
From the Paper ?Sometimes persuasion is only glorified manipulation, and other times persuasion is truly the heartfelt sentiment of the speaker. Either way, in the eyes of the Greek philosophers persuasion is form of art. While Creon defends himself from the accusations of Oedipus he taints his words with succulent messages of pathos, logos and ethos... When comparing Creon's speech to Aristotle's guidelines for successful rhetoric we can see that Creon speaks in a manor that renders him "worthy of confidence" (17)."
Abstract This paper discusses how President Truman's rhetorical style and manner of outlining the objectives and direction of American politics, brought a radical change to the rhetoric of American politics especially during the Cold War. The paper examines the phases that Truman's rhetorical context follows, focusing on his rhetoric in the first years of the Cold War just after World War II and the following years.
Outline:
Introduction
Propaganda during the Cold War
a) Period of Naivete
b) Period of Hysteria
Evaluation
From the Paper "According to Medhurst (1988), between 1945 to 1947, Truman exhibited rhetorical failures by choosing the rhetorically "inappropriate strategy of silence and noncommitment" (p.54) when confronted with the inflexible and deceitful politics of the Soviet Union. Medhurst states that the President's rhetoric during this period, was reticent and one which failed to inform the Americans about the arising problems of Soviet "expansionism, intimidation and support for indigenous armed minorities" (p. 55). In fact, Medhurst defines Truman's rhetoric as a "rather laudatory of the Soviet Union" (p. 55) and points out that it was due to his forthright, clear and authoritarian rhetorical manner that lead to the perception that the Soviet-American relations were mildly positive. However, even though this authoritarian style attempted to portray the Soviet Union in a mildly positive light in the eyes of the American public, "rhetoric had not mirrored reality" (Medhurst, 1988, p. 56). Vague assertions such as "we shall refuse to recognize any government imposed upon any nation by the force of any foreign power" (as cited in Medhurst 1988, p. 56), stated by the President in a foreign policy address in 1945, "were as close as he would come to overt criticism of the Soviet regime" (Medhurst, 1988, p.56). "
Tags: Truman, rhetorical, rhetoric, speech, Cold, War, propaganda, administration
Abstract This paper examines Plato's critique of rhetoric as witnessed in the Socratic dialogue known as the Gorgias that argues rhetoric is not an effective method of communication particularly when compared to the dialectic. It also compares Plato's views of civic rhetoric with those of Aristotle.
From the Paper "Even though Aristotle agreed with Plato on a number of ideas, they disagreed on a variety of significant philosophical and practical concepts. One of these was the best form for civic rhetoric. Plato argues in the Gorgias ..."
Abstract A discussion of whether political speech today is rhetorical. The paper analyses the meaning of rhetorical speech and how this is applied to political speech. The argument for and against the use of rhetorical speech in the political arena is discussed and its affects analyzed. The ideas of Beard are discussed and applied to present day politics.
From the Paper "Many individuals view rhetoric as a means of manipulation, not persuasion. When rhetoric is applied to political speech, therefore, it may be concluded that the politician is attempting to sway the public's opinion in a manner that is unjust and false. While rhetoric focuses on the appealing to emotion, religious values, and the structure and cultural value of the community, it can also be argued that rhetoric serves the public by inspiring them to alter the way in which society functions, and the paths that are elected for the future (Garsten 10). Beard discusses that rhetoric has three main parts in a political speech, repetition, contrast pairs and pronouns. These elements are evident in each political speech of substance that has affected the lives of its listeners profoundly. Arnold Schwarzenegger, having immigrated to the United States, participating in famous bodybuilding and movie careers, became.."
Abstract This paper discusses Plato's ideas on how we discover truth with continual dialogue. The author looks at Plato's theories about the objective of dialectic and rhetoric and compares the two arguing that while rhetoric is used as a tool for persuasion, dialectic is used as a tool to achieve truth.
From the paper:
"An editorial in The Daily Princetonian of February 21, 2000 extols alcohol as ?the world's most extraordinary beverage,? noting specifically that alcohol's effects are akin to a truth serum. Through a Platonic lens, this statement comes to acute focus. Alcohol is widely noted as a conversational stimulus where participants are less inhibited in expressing opinions. Platonic congruity arises because Plato espouses dialectic, a candid give and take discourse, as a means to discovering immutable Truth. Thus, even Plato could consent to The Daily Princetonian's judgment (Brummett 25)."
Tags: aristotle, cicero, de, gorgias, oratore, plato, rhetoric, sophist, theory
Abstract The essay attempts to determine how far the character of King Henry in Shakespeare's play, "Henry V", uses rhetoric to communicate what is true, or whether in fact he uses language to simply flatter his listeners with what they want to hear. The paper further attempts to show how far King Henry uses rhetoric as a method of manipulation in order to achieve his goals.
From the Paper "Henry, like his father (and very unlike Richard II) is aware that the power of language can be used as a valuable political device. He uses his skill as a rhetorician to achieve success as a leader. He has the capability to change his emotions according to the situation, therefore adapting to the audience he wants to persuade. Similarly Othello's Iago uses rhetoric as a powerful tool of persuasion. Through words he is able to convince Othello of his wife's unfaithfulness, thus playing a major part in her murder. With Iago's extreme dishonest use of rhetoric, the question remains; how honest is King Henry V?"
Abstract This paper compares the use of rhetoric in two of William Shakespeare's most famous soliloquies: The "To be or not to be..." speech in "Hamlet" and the "St. Crispins" speech in "Henry V". The goal of the paper is to compare the sincerity in each given the character speaking and the context in which the soliloquy is delivered. Hamlet is contemplating suicide. King Henry is trying to motivate his outnumbered army.
From the Paper "Although a read of Shakespeare's "To be..." speech from Hamlet and a read of his "St. Crispins" speech from Henry V show similarities in the use of rhetoric, an examination of the context of each speech hints at more sincerity in the former than in the latter. This is not to say that young Hamlet doesn't show his own share of deception throughout the play; however, in this particular speech, he is wrestling with all that he has had to endure with the death of his father and the implication of his uncle and mother in the crime. Often referred to as the most famous speech in English literature, Hamlet's "To Be..." speech is an internal exploration of the dilemma he finds himself in the midst of the mystery of his father's death."
Abstract This paper discusses wrongful conviction in the criminal justice system in the United States. The paper analyzes how it is now evident that there are hundreds of individuals that have been incarcerated who are innocent and how in recent years many of these innocent individuals have been released after serving time on death row or having been incarcerated for decades for crimes that they did not commit.
From the Paper "Wrongful Conviction in the Criminal Justice System Introduction Wrongful convictions have been recorded in the United States since the early 1800s. While it has been historically believed that all individuals convicted of crime claim to be innocent although they are guilty, it is now evident that there are hundreds of individuals that have been incarcerated who are innocent. Furthermore, in recent years many of these innocent individuals have been released after serving time on death row, or having been incarcerated for decades for crimes that they did not commit. The public concern for this issue has only been realized in the past few decades since the advancements of DNA testing, and the ability of scientists to prove innocence in many cases. However, forensic science is not the only method that is used to convict in this country."
This paper addresses five questions from the views of classic philosophers. Human nature and human advantages can be investigated according to the theories of various philosophers, yet in many respects the views of a specific philosopher can best be used
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 5 sources, 2002, $ 44.95
Abstract This paper addresses five questions from the views of classic philosophers. Human nature and human advantages can be investigated according to the theories of various philosophers, yet in many respects the views of a specific philosopher can best be used to define and describe a particular circumstance. This paper first presents the five questions and then addresses these questions according to the two theories that best suit that given circumstance.
Tags: PHILOSOPHY / COMPARATIVE PHILOSOPHY, five question philosophers
Abstract In this paper, the writer describes the meaning and symbolism found in Hans Christian Anderson's "The Philosopher's Stone". The author examines the allegorical meaning behind the garden motif and blindness in the story. The paper also considers the intellectual times in which Anderson wrote this work, including the problems facing the 19th century. Despite these problems, Anderson concludes with encouraging his audience to have faith in humanity.
From the Paper "The mid to late 19th century was a time of questioning and change. It was the period that saw the prominence of revolutionary thinkers like Freud, Marx, and Darwin and literary innovators like Dickens and Zola. Thinking people of the period questioned what had come before them, but more importantly questioned what life had become. Social commentary and revolutionary thinking took center stage in this period (Morris). Hans Christian Andersen's tale "The Philosopher's Stone" comments on what has become of life by seeking the answer to one of the most important questions for humanity: What happens after death? Andersen uses this question to guide his tale. As Andersen has the characters search for the Philosopher's Stone, he weaves social commentary into the tradition of fairy tales in this piece from 1859."
Tags: Hans, Christian, Anderson, Philosopher's, Stone, allegory
Abstract The aim of this paper is to bring forth the views of Aristotle and Plato to analyze the current issues of bias and objectivity that exist within the cultural construct of journalism and the modern media. By evaluating the issues of rhetoric as put forth by Plato and Aristotle, the paper shows how one can realize the often-tainted perspective for truth within the institutional nationalism and capitalism of modern media corporations.
From the Paper "The philosophy of Plato is far more abstract than that of Aristotle, since it focuses more on the forms of higher understanding and the greater good. The term rhetoric was often not a complimentary word for Plato, as he often saw language and knowledge being used on a relativistic basis for the well being of those that sought to profit from non-virtuous political or social means. Often the lack of uniformity in defining what is the "greater good" in society is difficult, since the intellectual virtue discussed by Aristotle can often provide an abstract and often unrealistic set of ethical guidelines. "
Abstract This paper discusses how Aristotle viewed rhetoric and notes that an Aristotelian analysis of rhetoric was oriented more toward making a judgment about the rightness or wrongness of the rhetoric and the reasoning that went into developing the speech act itself. The paper looks at the three types of rhetoric Aristotle described as well as his explanation for the role and place of rhetoric in civic life. In addition, the paper discusses the link drawn by Aristotle between rhetoric and logic and examines how the ideas expressed by Aristotle helped shape ideas about rhetoric, politics, and law for generations.
From the Paper "Ciero would influence St. Augustine in the Middle Ages. Before converting to Christianity, Augustine was a teacher of rhetoric. Augustine's most important contribution was to revive interest in rhetoric within the new Christian tradition after the early Christians had foresworn rhetoric as a pagan art. St. Augustine embodied rhetorical concepts in his writings and teachings and argued that preachers needed to be able to teach, to delight, and to move, the same notions of the duties of the orator held by Cicero. Augustine said that to accomplish the aims of Christianity it was necessary to pay attention to the rules of effective expression. He also said that such rules were to be used only in service of the truth and so revitalized the philosophic basis of rhetoric (Bizzell & Herzberg, 1990, pp. 382-383). "
Analysis of Plato's "Gorgias," specifically dealing with the importance of philosophical dialectic in the Socratic method, as well as Socrates' criticism of sophistic rhetoric.
1,705 words (approx. 6.8 pages), 2 sources, 2002, $ 55.95
Abstract This paper is an in depth examination of Plato's "Gorgias". It focuses on the importance, for Plato, of demonstrating that philosophy, not rhetoric, is the basis of the good life and of human happiness. The author explores both political and personal, and philosophical implications. Among some other topics touched upon are Plato's definition of the good, his understanding of the soul, and his basic political philosophy.
From the Paper "Rhetoric, the art that Gorgias claims to possess, is in every way opposed to wisdom and the good. Plato emphasizes this point from the very beginning of the dialogue. Socrates? lateness to Gorgias? declamation is a deliberate tactic. Whereas Gorgias? speech is meant to be a performance, Socrates is interested in a discussion. Philosophical conversation is concerned with dialectical definitions and essences, while rhetoric is concerned with mere appearances. Socrates compares the distinction to the difference between the way a chef prepares food, purely to impress the diners, to the way a nutritionist does, scientifically and using reason."
