Read the summary and the most important questions on You talkin' to me? : rhetoric from Aristotle to Obama | 9781846683169 | Sam Leith.

• 1 Introduction

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• What is the difference between rhetoric and philosophy?

  Philosophy constitutes a set of methods for arriving at a distinterested understanding of the eternal truths of the world. In contrast: Rhetoric is directed at a practical goal; it's a means to an end

• Where was rhetoric used first?

  In law courts and the machinery of government.

• What is epideictic rhetoric?

  The rhetoric of praise and insult

• What is judicial or forensic rhetoric?

  the sort of rhetoric most commenly found in the courtroom

• What is deliberative rhetoric?

  to persuade the audience to take some action (future)

   

• Why is there a strong tradition of hostility to rhetoric?  

  it is seen as the tool of demagogues and liars (distrust)

• 2 Rhetoric Then and Now

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• What is a knowledge economy?

  a rhetoric economy; the value of the persuasive is huge in this economy (management books etc)

• What is the most important human invention since the printing press?

  internet: persuasive communication is now for everyone: through spoken word or through the written with a potential audience of millions.

• First sign of rhetoric

  Syracuse, Sicily, 2.500yrs ago: Corax had honed his persuasive arts as a courtier to the previous tyrant Hieron. (court)

• It started in Sicily but continued in Athens (through Gorgias), why did rhetoric catch on so rapidly in Athens?

  1) They were getting used to a radical and unprecedented experiment with democracy. The principle of persuasive speech was at the heart of government. It was a direct rather than a representative democracy. Membership of the demos (sovereign body) was taken on a one-man, one-vote basis. If you didn't turn up, you didn't have a voice. 

  2) In court with enormous juries it was impossible to get anywhere without being able to talk well.