The Species of Rhetoric | Aristotle's Rhetoric pt. 3

Summary

In this video, the speaker explores Aristotle's concept of rhetoric, highlighting its importance as a tool for persuasion rather than the search for absolute truth. Aristotle divides rhetoric into three species: deliberative, judicial, and epideictic. Deliberative rhetoric focuses on persuading audiences about future actions, judicial rhetoric deals with defending or prosecuting based on past events, and epideictic rhetoric celebrates praise and blame, often without a decision-making goal. The speaker emphasizes the role of audience and purpose in shaping rhetorical strategies and invites further exploration into Aristotle's insights.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rhetoric, according to Aristotle, is about persuasion and getting things done with existing truths, rather than searching for absolute truths like philosophy.
• 😀 Aristotle divides rhetoric into three species: deliberative, judicial, and epideictic, each with its own distinct purpose and audience.
• 😀 Deliberative rhetoric focuses on persuading an audience to take action based on future outcomes, such as decisions about laws, taxes, and societal issues.
• 😀 Judicial rhetoric, found in courts, is concerned with the past, focusing on determining whether an action was just or unjust based on past events.
• 😀 Epideictic rhetoric is the rhetoric of praise and blame, focused on the present, and is often used to showcase the skill of the speaker or celebrate achievements.
• 😀 Deliberative rhetoric aims to show that a proposed action will either benefit or harm society, helping people decide what actions will be advantageous.
• 😀 Judicial rhetoric aims to clarify past events, proving or disproving whether something was just or unjust by presenting evidence and interpretation of facts.
• 😀 Epideictic rhetoric is all about display, where the audience is not deciding anything but simply observing and enjoying the rhetorical performance, often with a focus on style and language.
• 😀 While Aristotle presents these species of rhetoric as distinct, their boundaries are flexible, and speakers can blend elements of all three depending on the situation.
• 😀 Understanding the audience and rhetorical purpose helps determine the right strategies to use in a speech, whether you're trying to persuade, justify, or entertain.

Q & A

What is Aristotle's view on rhetoric compared to earlier philosophers like Plato?

Aristotle sees rhetoric as a useful tool for persuading people with the truths we already have, rather than searching for absolute truths, which is the focus of philosophy. Unlike Plato, who condemned rhetoric as a manipulative art, Aristotle acknowledges its value in practical decision-making.

What are the three species of rhetoric according to Aristotle?

Aristotle divides rhetoric into three species: deliberative, judicial, and epideictic. Each serves a different purpose and targets distinct rhetorical objectives based on the audience.

How does deliberative rhetoric differ from the other two species?

Deliberative rhetoric is concerned with persuading an audience about future actions, such as decisions on laws, war, or taxes. It is used in democratic assemblies where the goal is to determine what is advantageous or harmful for the future.

What is the primary goal of a deliberative speaker?

The goal of a deliberative speaker is to demonstrate that a proposed action will either be beneficial (advantageous) or harmful, encouraging the audience to adopt the best course of action for the future.

What role does judicial rhetoric play in society?

Judicial rhetoric is focused on the past, often in a legal context, where speakers aim to establish whether an action was just or unjust. It is used in courts or in situations where people must justify or defend past actions.

How does judicial rhetoric work in a courtroom setting?

In a courtroom, judicial rhetoric helps parties argue about past events. They present evidence and interpretations to establish the facts and determine if actions were just or unjust. It involves evaluating the likelihood of past events rather than predicting future outcomes.

What is epideictic rhetoric, and why is it considered fun by the speaker?

Epideictic rhetoric is the rhetoric of praise and blame, focused on highlighting what is honorable or shameful. It is considered fun because the audience is not required to make decisions, but rather to enjoy the speaker’s rhetorical display, making it a celebration of style and virtue.

In what contexts is epideictic rhetoric commonly used?

Epideictic rhetoric is often used in ceremonial settings such as funerals, eulogies, or public displays where the focus is on praising or condemning individuals or ideas. Its primary goal is to celebrate or mourn rather than to make decisions.

What did Aristotle mean by 'pure persuasion' in the context of epideictic rhetoric?

Aristotle referred to 'pure persuasion' as rhetoric that is performed for its own sake, without any ulterior motive or goal beyond the satisfaction derived from the act of persuasion itself. This aligns with the performative nature of epideictic rhetoric, where the speaker’s skill and style are celebrated.

How can knowing your audience help in choosing the right type of rhetoric?

Understanding your audience helps determine the rhetorical strategy to adopt. For example, if the audience is making decisions about the future, deliberative rhetoric is appropriate. If they are judging past events, judicial rhetoric should be used. If the goal is to impress with style or highlight virtues, epideictic rhetoric is best suited.