Rhetoric is the art of argument os responsible reasoning
The study of rhetoric develops self-conscious awareness of the principles and practices of responsible reasoning and effective arguing
In the 1800’s a good speech held the same level of interest as a big sporting event does for today
Rhetoric has become so broadly defined as to include almost any kind of communication or symbol that has the potential to influence people
Responsible reasoning means defending not the first position you might take on an issue but the best position determined through open-minded inquiry
Providing reasons for holding that position that can earn the respect of an audience
Arguing responsibly: offering reasons for our opinions
We hear arguments all the time through presidential debates, from businesses who want our dollar, from friends who want us to think the way they do on an issue
the intelligent person is one who can distinguish good arguments from bad ones, wether he/she agrees with the argument or not
Responsible argument is not one-sided
a free society depends not only on the right of free speech but also on the responsibility to actually listen to those with opposing views
Responsible reasoners are well-informed meaning their opinions develop out of knowledge and are supported by reliable and current evidence
Responsible reasoners are self-critical and open to constructive criticism from others
Responsible reasoners argue with their audiences or readers in mind
Responsible reasoners know their arguments contexts
Responsible arguments can be forceful but never are rude or insult the opposition
to argue responsibly, a person must support his or her opinions with reliable and current evidence
Ignorance and inflexibility go together because it is easy to form an opinion when few or none of the facts get in the way and people can assert their prejudices
the ability to change our minds when good reasons to do so are presented
in popular argumentation, changing one’s mind can be taken as a weakness, as being wishy-washy, and so people tend to go on advocating what they believe
Responsible reasoning considers the audience
to argue persuasively we have to respect the opposition
we have to know what other people are saying to make our own reasoning relevant
arguing to inquire is using reasoning to determine the best position on an issue
the ancient freaks called argument as inquiry dialectic (dialogue)
Inquiry centers on questions and involves some work to answer them
dialogue is serious information
the goal of inquiry is to reach some kind of conclusion on an issue
conviction is “an earned opinion, achieved through careful thought, research and discussion”
argument to convince centers on making a case
arguing to persuade is like convincing
Persuasion attempts to influence not just thinking but also behavior
Persuasion appeals to reader’s emotions
Persuasion relies on the personality of the writer
People argue to meditate
Inquiry seeks truth
Convincing seeks assent to a thesis
Persuading seeks action
Meditating seeks consensus
Exchanging viewpoints and information and building empathy enable all parties to make concessions to loosen their hold on their original positions and finally to reach consensus
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