Question 1

How is Aristotle's view of rhetoric different from Plato's?

Accepted Answer

Plato saw rhetoric as the methods of persuasive language used by the Sophists. He did not believe it was a true art, and he was concerned that in the hands of unjust people rhetoric was a dangerous tool. Aristotle disagrees, firstly, by saying it is a true art and can therefore be systematically studied.Rhetoric is more than just persuasive speech; it is a systematic study of arguments and appeals. Rhetoric was an art of investigation and expression.

Question 2

Aristotle called rhetoric the counterpart (antistrophos) of dialectic. In what ways are the two arts similar, and how are they different?

Accepted Answer

Some of the similarities between rhetoric and dialectic are:
• They both begin with endoxa.
• They both deal with questions that do not belong to a specific science or art.
• They both can argue either side of a case.
• They both deal with questions that concern everyone.Some of the differences between rhetoric and dialectic are:
• Rhetoric addresses larger groups while dialectic addresses small groups of experts.
• Rhetoric is delivered in the form of a speech while dialectic is a process of questions and answers.
• Rhetoric deals with specific questions while dialectic deals with general questions.
• Rhetoric uses logos, pathos, and ethos, while dialectic employs only arguments.
• Rhetoric's fundamental component is the enthymeme while dialectic's fundamental component is the formal syllogism.

Question 3

For what reasons is rhetoric useful, according to Aristotle?

Accepted Answer

Aristotle gives several reasons for why rhetoric is a useful art:
• While there is a natural tendency for the truth to prevail, in public settings it often requires the advocacy of capable speakers and writers.
• Rhetoric adapts complex ideas to ordinary audiences.
• Rhetoric allows one to argue both sides of a case.
• Rhetoric is verbal self-defense.

Question 4

What does Aristotle mean by "artistic proofs" (entechnoi pisteis)?

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Question 5

What are the three types of artistic proofs Aristotle identifies, and with what is each concerned?

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Question 6

What is an enthymeme?

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Question 7

What role does Jeffrey Walker find that epideictic discourse played in ancient Greece?

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Question 8

Describe the courses someone might take in a modern university in order to learn the components of the art of rhetoric as Aristotle describes that art in the Rhetoric.

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Question 9

Many Greeks of Aristotle's day believed that good character (ethos) was a more reliable form of proof than was physical evidence. The reasoning behind this preference, apparently, was that it is much easier to fake physical evidence than it is good character. What do you think of this view of the relative reliability of physical evidence and good character?

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Question 10

What is your response to Aristotle's argument that studying rhetoric is useful for (a) defending the truth, (b) adapting complicated ideas to a large and untrained audience, (c) thinking through both sides of a case, and (d) self-defense? Are these still good reasons for studying the subject, or have things changed too much since Aristotle's day for these reasons still to hold? Is there any use of rhetoric that should be added to Aristotle's list?

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Question 11

What is your response to Aristotle's having defined rhetoric as an art of observation rather than as the practice of public speaking?

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Question 12

Central to Aristotle's treatment of rhetoric is the type of argument called the ________________. Literally translated as something like, "grasped internally," this type of argument is a rhetorical syllogism based on a premise shared by a speaker and the audience.

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Question 13

________________ was the artistic proof that Aristotle says dealt with rationality, and studied the arguments employed in decision-making.

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Question 14

When Aristotle discusses lines of argument, he has divided them into two categories. The first is eidei topoi or special topics, while the second category is ________________, a Greek term that meant common topics, or arguments that would be useful in any rhetorical setting.

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Question 15

________________ was the artistic proof that Aristotle thought was essential for putting the audience in the right frame of mind and for affecting the judgment of audiences.

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Question 16

Aristotle says rhetoric is the counterpart of ________________, which he outlines as a method of reasoning from common opinions, directed by established principles of reasoning to probable conclusions.

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Question 17

"All men are mortal, Socrates is a man, so Socrates is mortal" is an example of a _______________, which is a deductive argument that moves from a general premise to a specific and necessary conclusion.

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Question 18

Which type of rhetorical oratory does Aristotle say is concerned with actions, is future oriented, deals with questions of the best uses of resources, and is presented in the legislature to form laws?

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Question 19

Aristotle showed hesitancy to classify rhetoric and dialectic as exactly like other technai. What distinctive type of technai does he classify them as?
A) Arts of writing and instruction
B) Arts of deception and impression
C) Arts of investigation and expression
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Aristotle classifies rhetoric and dialectic as arts of investigation and expression, which are concerned with discovering and communicating truths rather than just creating persuasive arguments or deceiving others.

Question 20

Which type of oratory does Aristotle say deals with questions of justice, evaluates actions of the past, employs accusations or defense, and is usually delivered by lawyers in a court room?
A) Deliberative
B) Incarcerous
C) Epideictic
D) Forensic

Accepted Answer

Forensic oratory, also known as judicial oratory, deals with questions of justice, evaluates actions of the past, employs accusations or defense, and is usually delivered by lawyers in a court room.

Quiz 4: Aristotle on Rhetoric