Dialectic Vs Rhetoric Essay

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All things may be divided into one of four classes: Finite, Infinite, the union of the two, and the cause of the union.

The seasons and all the delights of life = union of the two

The qualities of high and low (degree) = infinite

Ratio number and measure (quantification) = finite

The mind = cause of the union

Dialectic and rhetoric deal with expressing an opinion or the refutation of one. Both require the skillful use of dialog and ones oratory abilities. However, this is where the similarities end. Generally directed at a smaller audience, and is interactive with the orator answering questions as well as asking them. Dialectic utilizes reasoned deliberation and sometimes vigorous debate between the speaker and the audience to find a consensus on …show more content…

The ability to convince an audience that a speaker is knowledgeable, trustworthy, and has their best interests at heart.

Jeffrey Walker argued epideictic speech was a way to inform the public so they contemplate ideas, formed opinions, or even revise their existing beliefs and attitudes that could inspire change.

In Greece, there was political and legal equality among all free men, regardless of inequalities of wealth and birth. Everyone voted, served on juries, and all could speak in the assembly. Rome, however, placed less importance on individual citizen, and considered the opinion of the collective body over the individual. However, only those fortunate enough to have been born into an influential family or serve in the military were considered real citizens of Rome.

Cicero felt that “wisdom without eloquence does too little for the good of states... without wisdom is generally disadvantageous and is never helpful”. He believed wisdom was the guide to human affairs, and that eloquence along with wisdom was necessary to govern effectively. Furthermore, he sought to reunite “the tongue and the brain”, eloquence and wisdom, and thus to produce great speakers who were also great

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