History of Rhetoric - Where and Why Did the Need for Public Speaking Originate?

History of Rhetoric Questions

1). Where and why did the need for public speaking originate?

The need for public speaking originated in Greece about three thousand years ago. This need originated because the rugged mountains of Greece divided the land, making it necessary for the Greeks to communicate successfully among peoples. As a result, the Greeks came up with a systematic reflection upon the power of speech to satisfy their curiosity and to meet profound communal and political needs. Communal needs included participation in civic life as the economic and political power grew. Political needs included learning to speak and represent themselves before the courts as the idea of trial by jury to settle disputes was developed. Therefore, Greeks started to place great emphasis on speech because the fortunes of their lives depended largely on their ability to speak under certain pressures in front of a large number of juries.

2). Who were the Sophists and what did they believe?

The Sophists were a group of teachers who first offered instruction in pubic speaking and made significant contributions to the theory of human communication. They were originally referred to as "men of wisdom". Sophists believed that "Man is a Measure of all Things." They believed that humanity is the moral center of the universe.

3). Specifically, what did each individual contribute to the study of rhetoric?

Corax:

He described a relationship between discourse and reality and the limitations of scientific

investigation. He asserted that certainty is hard to find in disputes because the meaning we find in things is a result of our own symbolizing, and that the reality is often the projection of our own interpretations, expectations and fantasies. As a result, probability, not absolute truth, must be the goal of the speaker in an uncertain world.

He came up with a four-part pattern for the arrangement of forensic speeches:

1. Introduction: Speakers identify with listeners.

2. Narration: Speakers tell stories vividly to convey impression of reality.

3. Argument: Speakers interpret meanings of the events and present proofs.

4. Conclusion: Speakers summarize main points, tell consequences of favorable or unfavorable decisions by juries, and plead for favorable verdicts.

Gorgias:

He was skeptic about truth and knowledge. He argued that truth, if it exists, is divine and

infinite, outside place and time. But, if truth does exist in this way, then it is impossible for humans to know it because we exist within space and time. So, if we cannot know truth, then we cannot possibly communicate about it.

He emphasized on verbal artistry: the importance of words as tools to build a universe of shared

meaning. He felt that through words, people can build a community of values, ideals, and purposes. As students of public communication, we must learn how to identify the one form of usage and guard against the other.

Thrasymachus:

Humans could enjoy only the power of their own abilities with words and the success they might achieve. Rather than focus on the content of speeches, he emphasized the impression speakers make in their presentations. He stressed the importance of a pleasing rhythm in vocal patterns.

He came up with the concept of "trope", a powerful figure of speech that can give distinction and originality to the spoken word. Tropes can make ideas more memorable and influential.

Protagoras:

"Man is the Measure of all Things." Humans have a potential to create a world of values and

judgments. This placed humanity at the moral center of the universe.

Skeptical attitude toward truth. Truth must change with time and circumstance and is prone to

errors of prejudice and logic. So, to justify truth, use the discipline of "debate." Debate reveals errors of information, logic, and argument. It can help improve our thinking. However, debate can make us indecisive and the two-valued orientation can cause us to ignore or overlook other ways that might link the opposing sides and gain the advantages of both.

Isocrates:

Emphasized communal over individual values through the wisdom and selflessness of the words. Those who spoke well would be the natural leaders of society. Taught power of speech by requiring to write themes through application of principles and criticizing them; working on presentational skills; presenting "recital" speeches before live audiences.

4). According to the class readings, what was the motive behind the development of rhetorical theory?

The motive behind the development of rhetorical theory was "the desire to harness the power of the communication symbol so that it might be more productive, and useful rather than harmful to society."

5). What was Aristotles' definition of rhetoric?

Aristotle defined rhetoric as "the ability, in each case, to see the available means of persuasion."

This definition suggested that the study of public speaking should aim at developing an educated sensitivity to what is possible and not possible in specific communication situations.

6). What were the eight aspects that Aristotle said each speaker should

...