Aristotle亚里士多德修辞学

1、classical rhetoric Aristltle wangjia 201312081223 About Aristotle: Aristotle was born to Greek parents in the Macedonian. Aristotle entered the academy (established by Plato) at 17 years old, and stayed as a teacher. Later he was appointed by Philip as the teacher of Alexander. Like Plato, he studie

2、s a vast array of subjectsteaching biology, politics, rhetoric, zoology(动物学），ethics, philosophyAristotles ideas For Aristotle, only scientific demonstration and the analysis of formal logic can arrive at transcendental truth,. Dialect arrives at probable knowledge,. Rhetoric then conveys the results

3、 of scientific demonstration or dialect to an audience of nonexperts by summarizing the reasoning used to arrive at these results. Rhetoric is thus a mode of inquiry for nonexperts.Scientific demonstrationtrue knowledgeDialectprobable knowledgeRhetorica mode of inquiry for nonexpertsThe theory of rh

4、etoric in book I The definition of rhetoric:Rhetoric may be defined as the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion.不管碰到什么事情都能发现可利用的说服手段的那种能力。Aristotles rhetoric theory is conducted hierarchically. He divided it into two major categories: “artistic” proof and “inartis

5、tic” proof.1 Artistic proof: for which the rhetorician constructs the material2 Inartistic proof: for which the rhetorician interprets existing evidence.Type of proofs Inartistic proof: evidence like testimonies, contracts, knives, tortured slaves. Artistic proof:Logoslogical argumentsPathoscaused o

6、f emotion in humansEthoscharacter, human goodness, virtueModes of persuasion Three kinds: The first kind depends on the personal character of the speaker; The second on putting the audience into a certain frame of mind; The third on the proof, provided by the words of the speech itself.Modes of proo

7、f Rhetoric VS dialectical proof induction=example syllogism=enthymemeProbabilities & Sighs A probability is a thing that usually happens; not however, as some definitions would suggest, anything whatever that usually happens, but only if it belongs to the class of the “contingent” or “variable”. It

8、bears the same relation to that in respect of which it is probable as the universal bears to the particular. Of signs, one kind bears the same relation to the statement it supports as the particular bears to the universal, the other the same as the universal bears to the particular. The infallible k

9、ind is a “complete proof”.Means of effecting persuasion Three means: (I) to reason logically; (II) to understand human character and goodness in their various forms; (III) to understand the emotions.Three kind of speechdetermined by the situation Deliberative or political speechintended to recommend

10、 a future course of action Epideictic or ceremonialintended to praise or blame a current state of affairs Forensic or legalintended to provoke judgment concerning past actionThe three kinds of rhetoric corresponding to three audiences Kinds: Deliberative Forensic Epideictic Subject matter: Deliberat

11、ive :exhortation and discussion Forensic: accusatory or defensive Epideictic: praise or blame Time: Deliberative: future Forensic: past Epideictic: present End Deliberative: expedient or harmful Forensic: just or unjust Epideictic: honor or disgrace General topics Possible and impossible Past happen

12、ing and future happening The more and the lessAbout good Definition of the good Let us assume good to be whatever is desirable for its own sake, or for the sake of which we choose something else; that which is the aim of all things, or of all things that possess sensation or reason; or would be, if they could acquire the latter.Necessary goods: Health Happiness Virtues of the soul Virtues of the body Wealth Friendship Honor Eloquence Capacity for action Natural cleverness Good memory Readiness to learn Quick-wittedness and the like Justice Doubtful goods The opposite of evil Th