ARISTOTLE
The Art of Rhetoric
It’s a Mess (Brad McAdon)
• different conceptions of rhetorical proofs
(pistis)
• different conceptions of the enthymeme
• conflicting relationship of the topoi (as
materials of enthymemes) to signs, tekmeria,
and probabilities
It’s a Mess (Brad McAdon)
• chapters 4-15 of Book 1 relate oddly/poorly to
chapters 1-2 of Book 1
• chapters 2-11 and 12-17 of Book 2 (the discussion
of pathos and ethos) relate oddly/poorly to the
brief discussions of ethos and pathos in 1.2
• inaccurate cross-references in the Rhetoric to
other Aristotelian works
Rhetoric is the Counterpart of Dialectic
Similarities: Rhetoric & Dialectic
• Rhetoric and dialectic are concerned with things that do not
belong to a definite genus or are not the object of a specific
science.
• Rhetoric and dialectic rely on accepted opinions (endoxa).
• Rhetoric and dialectic are concerned with both sides of an
opposition.
• Rhetoric and dialectic rely on deduction and induction.
• Rhetoric and dialectic similarly apply topoi.
from Plato.Stanford.Edu
Differences: Rhetoric & Dialectic
• Dialectic proceeds by Q & A (one to one). Rhetoric is a continuous
monologue (one to many).
• Rhetoric must take into account that its target group has only
restricted intellectual resources, whereas such concerns are totally
absent from dialectic.
• While dialectic tries to test the consistency of a set of sentences,
rhetoric tries to achieve the persuasion of a given audience.
• Non-argumentative methods are absent from dialectic, while
rhetoric uses non-argumentative means of persuasion.
from Plato.Stanford.Edu
Logocentric
• Sensitive about sophistry/ethics
• More concerned with getting it right than with
getting it done (see definition on page 181)
• Focus on Invention to the near exclusion of the
other canons (see pg. 237 1404a)
• Makes the enthymeme the star of the show.
But Not Just Logos
• The enthymeme is the “body of persuasion,”
but….
• deficient audiences cannot be persuaded by
logos alone so necessity demands that matters
not central to finding rational proof are also
part of rhetorical speeches.
Articles of Faith
• People are most likely to be persuaded by
reasoned demonstrations than sophistical tricks,
because reason confers conviction/belief which
other means do not (hence logocentrism).
• Truth has a natural advantage over falsity
(apology for the fact that the art is still one that
proves opposites).
But it still proves opposites
• See page 67 (Golden)
Primary Divisions
Artistic Proof (comes from the speaker/is
demonstrated to by the speaker)
Inartistic Proof (speaks for itself is used by the
speaker)
Artistic vs. Inartistic Proof
The Art of Rhetoric
Artistic Proof
Inartistic Proof
Pathos
Logos
Star of the Show
Ethos
Competence
Trustworthiness
Goodwill
Dynamism*
The Enthymeme
A Rhetorical Syllogism
Typically Derive from probable premises where proper
syllogisms only proceed from certain premises.
Deductive/Quasi-Deductive reasoning pattern.
Enthymemes are very often truncated (i.e., a premise is not
included)
The Topoi provide general argument forms enthymemes can
take as well as function as premises in enthymemes.
*Special topics (the laundry lists you read over)
*Common topics (in book II)
Topoi
Special Topics – are particular to speech genres, but are not so particular
as to stray into the actual scientific subject matter of any genre;
particular, but not too particular.
That is good upon which much labor or money has been spent. (p. 191)
That is good which is easily accomplished. (p. 192)
Common Topics – May be used for any speech
If one opposite is possible, then its corresponding opposite
also be possible.
should
Common
Topics
Definition
Genus / Species
Division
Whole / Parts
Subject / Adjuncts
Comparison
Similarity / Difference
Degree
Relationship
Cause / Effect
Antecedent / Consequence
Contraries / Contradictions
Circumstances
Possible / Impossible
Past Fact / Future Fact
Testimony
Authorities
Witnesses
Maxims or Proverbs
Rumors
Oaths
Documents
Law/Precedent
Special
Topics
Judicial
justice (right)
injustice (wrong)
Deliberative
the good
the unworthy
the advantageous
the disadvantageous
Ceremonial
virtue (the noble)
vice (the base)
From: rhetoric.byu.edu
Enthymemes, Examples, Maxims
Enthymemes are DEDUCTIVE – they move from the
general to the particular
Examples are used in INDUCTION – moving from the
particular to a generalization
Maxims are conclusions of old arguments that are now
commonly accepted wisdom and which function as
PREMISES for arguments.